Butterfly Sightings 2005 – BC Upper Thames Branch
(Berks, Bucks & Oxon)
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** January to December 2005 Archive **

Saturday 31^st December 2005

30/12/05 – David Redhead reported the following interesting discovery: “Most years a pre-Christmas retrieval visit is required to our loft. I usually take the opportunity to have a search for hibernating butterflies as on my first visit, some twenty years ago, I discovered about a dozen Peacocks and half a dozen Small Tortoiseshells. Over the two decades the numbers have gradually dwindled and this year, on Friday 23rd December, the lowest count to date was achieved with just one Peacock and one Small Tortoiseshell. However, I did manage to add a new moth species - a hibernating Herald moth. By precariously balancing a torch I was able to produce enough illumination to allow my camera to focus and obtain a photograph.”

Wednesday 28^th December 2005

Richard Soulsby sent the following email on 28^th December: “Nice to see all the reports of December Peacocks and Red Admirals. I've not seen any myself, but a friend in Benson, Dr Anne Millar, has told me that she found a Brimstone on 22^nd December on Swyncombe Downs near here. It was lying in the frosted grass, dormant but alive. She took it home, and has put it into ivy in her garden, in the hope that it will survive the winter better there.”

Saturday 24^th December 2005

Welcome to the website, new contributors Ann Pitwell & John Laker who sent in this report today from Marlow:

“We were privileged to see a Red Admiral today, 24^th December, in the back garden at 10.45, in pristine condition.”

Friday 23^rd December 2005

[Apologies for the late posting of the following sightings due to computer problems.]

On 19/12/05 Mick & Wendy Campbell were surprised to see a Peacock basking in the sunshine in a warm corner of their garden.

On 19/12/05 Tom Dunbar reports that a work colleague pointed out a pristine Red Admiral which had settled on a flowering mahonia in the school grounds at 12.30 today, 19^th December.

On 18/12/05 Tony Croft sent the following email: “I was fairly astonished to see a Peacock in the garden on Friday 16th December. It was beautifully sunny and relatively mild (about 10C as I recall).”

On 15/12/05, a warm December afternoon, Wendy & Mick Campbell saw a Red Admiral fly down from the roof of their house and off across the garden. After about an hour it was seen heading back towards the house where it seemed to disappear up into the eaves, presumably to roost in the roof space.

Tuesday 15^th November 2005

15/11/05 Dave Maunder sent in this news from Aylesbury today: “My only recent butterfly sighting is a very late Peacock in my back garden on Sunday 13^th November, tempted out by some bright afternoon sunshine! The next few days don't seem at all good for moths or butterflies, with very low temperatures forecast.”

Monday 14^th November 2005

On Monday 14^th November Tom Dunbar saw a Red Admiral in Hazlemere near High Wycombe. "The bright sunshine was obviously enough to persuade this individual to leave its shelter from the heavy overnight frost. It sought nectar from a mahonia bush in the school grounds before charging off over the rooftops. This stands as my latest ever sighting of any butterfly species."

Paul Bowyer was at the Wyevale Garden Centre in Beaconsfield on Saturday 12th November and reports seeing a Red Admiral.

Tony Croft says Saturday's sunshine brought two Red Admirals and a Painted Lady to his garden although the temperature was a cool 10C. On Sunday 13^th November he saw two Red Admirals at Whitecross Green.

Friday 11^th November 2005

Today (11th) Dave Wilton continued his Brown Hairstreak egg survey of the Rushbeds/Lapland Farm area: “In 90 minutes I managed to complete about three-quarters of the west-facing Lapland meadow hedge which abuts the railway before the wind and rain got too much for me. It produced a paltry nine Brown Hairstreak eggs, although I did also find two Bl@ck Hairstreak eggs, two Blue-bordered Carpet eggs and a half-grown Oak Eggar caterpillar.”

On Wednesday 9^th November Jan Haseler saw a Red Admiral on a south-facing wall at the Harris Garden, University of Reading. Jan also reports that her last Speckled Wood sighting was Thursday 27^th October at Shinfield Park.

Caroline Steel reports that on November 5^th her mother, Joan Peachey, found a Red Admiral resting on her washing line in her garden at Ashampstead, Berks.

Monday 7^th November 2005

7^th November – Tony Croft reports on his Brown Hairstreak egg hunting in the Long Crendon area: “I can't offer you another km square yet but it's getting close. I found two more eggs this afternoon. One is at SP687094 by a footpath in an open area behind some houses on the outskirts of Long Crendon and the other was on a track nearby.”

On Friday 4^th November David Redhead was searching for Brown Hairstreak eggs in new grids in the Shotover area. He managed to locate a single egg to add to this year’s count, although unfortunately it was just in SP5705, so not a new square. A little further along his route, David had his second success of the day - a Red Admiral - very slightly faded but otherwise perfect.

Thursday 3^rd November 2005

2^nd November - Dave Maunder spotted the following butterflies in Aylesbury during the last week: Red Admiral (2), Small Tortoiseshell (1) and, at Coombes near Adstock, a late Painted Lady and Red Admiral on the 27^th October.

Monday 31^st October 2005

Many thanks to Ched George for sending in this remarkable report today, which adds a new species to this year’s UTB count: “A friend is confident that he witnessed a Pale Clouded Yellow at Ewelme on the 27th October. The black markings on the wings were checked. He’s positive it was not a helice form of Clouded Yellow.”

Sunday 30^th October 2005

Tom Dunbar further explored the Bicester area on 29th October for Brown hairstreak eggs: "excellent habitat near Launton and to the south-west of Bicester failed to produce any eggs. I had a similar result to the north-east of the town where good blackthorn was in short supply. However the day was deemed a success in that I located 5 eggs in two new 1 km squares to the east of Craven Hill MOD depot."

Friday 28^th October 2005

Dave Wilton reported this exciting news for 27^th October: “David Redhead, Tom Dunbar and I carried out a search for Brown Hairstreak eggs to the east of Bicester in today's glorious sunshine and succeeded in adding 10 eggs to the count and four more brand new kilometre squares to the distribution map. Unfortunately two of these squares are right on the edge of our current map which will now need to be "tweaked" a little before they can be shown! During the search a single Comma was found sunning itself on a bramble patch and we had three Brimstone sightings, although it was not clear how many different individuals were involved.”

On 27^th October Derek Brown said he and Cathy are still seeing Red Admirals in their garden in Beenham as of last Sunday - 2 weeks later than last year: ”Everything else seems to have disappeared. Overall for the year in the garden we got the Ringlet, which we didn't have last year, and the totally new Grayling, but we missed out this year on Purple Hairstreak and Painted Lady.”

26/10/05 – There were two Red Admirals in Nick Bowles’ garden today, busy on buddleia and ivy: “Seeing them with fieldfares and redwings calling as they pass overhead is a real sign of autumn.”

Monday 24^th October 2005

David Redhead managed an absolutely new Brown Hairstreak square (SP5605) on Sunday afternoon, 23^rd: “Inspired by Wendy & Mick’s 5 eggs on 29^th September just NE of Horspath in SP5705, I headed east from Brasenose farmhouse and took the bridleway up the SE face of Brasenose Woods. This actually runs inside the woods and most of the blackthorn I found was heavily shaded, aged and unsuitable. It comes out in the middle of three hay meadows. I followed the footpath east across the bottom of the meadow - lots of blackthorn in the hedge on my right but north facing and no eggs found. The hedge dividing the second and third meadows is superb almost solid blackthorn, very wide with ash & oak - in the past I have looked here, without success. I went along the WNW face for about 50m to an ash tree with nil count, then tried the ESE face and almost immediately found two nice white eggs. As it was starting to rain I decided to head back home.”

Click here to see the full Brown Hairstreak report.

23^rd October – From just across the border in Tring, Nick Bowles was pleasantly surprised that last weekend's Red Admiral count in his garden was surpassed: 3 this morning; 2 last week. Sadly the Comma, which was around for at least 13 days, was not to be seen.

Tony Croft walked along the road between Long Crendon and Easington in the afternoon of 21^st October: “The road has quite a lot of blackthorn on both sides which has not been flailed for a couple of years. I found a single Brown Hairstreak egg at SP688099 on the eastern side of the road. If my interpretation of the latest Brown Hairstreak distribution map is correct then this is a new square.”

David & Wendy Redhead were in their garden on Thursday 20^th October and saw Red Admiral (nectaring on ivy flowers) and Comma (sunning itself on the gate) - both were in good condition.

On Thursday 20^th Mick & Wendy Campbell went walking in the Stanton St John area, searching for Brown Hairstreak eggs. They located 14 fresh Brown Hairstreak eggs plus 5 hatched eggs from last year. Along the way they were also pleased to see 3 species of butterfly still on the wing – singletons of Small Tortoiseshell (worn), Small Copper (worn) and Red Admiral. All three were on the edge of farm fields, in the shelter of hedges or woodland.

Dennis Dell reports: “Red Admirals have been visiting the Beijing Buddleia in my garden every week since August 28th. The last was seen on October 19th, coinciding with the fading of the last bloom.”

Wednesday 19^th October 2005

Ched George sent this news on 19^th October: “Our Bottom Wood, Radnage work party finished the morning session by witnessing 2 Speckled Wood.”

17^th October - Just back from holiday, David Redhead reports: “Last week, in spite of 4.5 inches of rain in just over 24 hours, Wendy and I managed 20 Red Admirals, 3 Painted Ladies, 2 Small Coppers and a Peacock on the coastal footpath around the St David's Peninsula - most were nectaring on Ivy flowers and all were in good condition. A Hummingbird Hawk Moth was nectaring on Red Valerian in Solva. Several fully grown Fox Moth larvae were found alongside the coastal path and a Ruby Tiger larva just missed being stepped on as it hurried across the path. On the way back several Herald moths were discovered roosting in the entrance to the Dolaucothi gold mines.”

Then on Saturday 15^th, back in UTB territory, Wendy Redhead saw 3 Red Admirals and a Large White in the garden.

And finally, on Sunday 16^th, David and Wendy were inspired by the warm sunny weather to try for a very late adult Brown Hairstreak in Bernwood Meadows/Forest but were unsuccessful. However, they were compensated by finding 43 Brown Hairstreak eggs along the way, plus one Blue-bordered Carpet Moth egg. Surprisingly, not one adult butterfly was seen in two hours.

On Monday 17^th Wendy & Mick Campbell did a circular walk through Bernwood Forest, Waterperry Wood and the surrounding area. The warm, sunny weather brought 4 species of butterfly out of hiding: Red Admiral (1), Brimstone (1 female), Peacock (2) and Comma (1). Along the way they checked the blackthorn for Brown Hairstreak eggs and located 10 altogether in five different 1km squares.

Sunday 16^th October 2005

Nick Bowles sent this news today, 15^th: “Despite a dedicated, though short, search I could only turn up one species today- a Small Copper at Pitstone. It had only three wings which seemed strangely apposite given the way the season is so obviously falling apart. No blues there (my target species) no whites anywhere and even the ivy that held Red Admiral in numbers two weeks back (here in Tring) were now empty.”

16/10/05 – A further update received from Nick this morning: “After saying no sign of Red Admiral yesterday there are currently two Red Admiral and a Comma feeding on buddleia that I hacked back in early September and that is now in flower again. Not only did hacking cause renewed flowering but the small size is keeping all flowers but top two stems out of wind (sheltered by next door's fence).”

Derek Brown says he’s still seeing a few butterflies in his garden in Beenham: 3x Red Admiral today, 15th; and a male Brimstone last Monday 10th.

At 4.30 pm today, Saturday 15^th, Wendy & Mick Campbell counted an astonishing 14 Red Admirals on their garden buddleia and ivy (the ivy has just come into full flower and was covered with bees and hover flies). Other butterflies seen earlier in the day on the buddleia were 2 Comma and 1 Small Tortoiseshell. A White flew through the garden too quickly to be identified. The buddleia and ivy plants are very mature and are situated next to each other in a warm, sunny corner of the garden. The ivy is growing up old apple and pear fruit trees and has reached about 20 feet, so it catches the sun all day long. All the Red Admirals and one of the two Commas were in very good condition, the second Comma was rather tatty.

16/10/05 – By 10.00 am Sunday, 4 Red Admirals and a Comma have already turned up again this morning.

Wednesday 12^th October 2005

Tony Croft undertook a very brief local search for Brown Hairstreak eggs this afternoon, 12^th ”Before the rain set in I found three Brown Hairstreak eggs along a bridleway between Easington and Chilton where a single egg was located last year.”

Tuesday 11^th October - Butterflies seen by Dave Maunder around Aylesbury over the last week were:- Red Admiral (6), Comma (1), Small Tortoiseshell (1), Brimstone (1), Small White (1), and Speckled Wood (1) - the last 4 species were seen in yesterday's heat!”

11^th October Dennis Dell sent this news: “Today, while on one of my Aylesbury Ring walks around Ford, I passed through a very large young deciduous forestry commission plantation [trees not higher than 5'] (SP 788094); in years to come, this will be a very nice wood. I saw two pristine Painted Ladies on thistle here. The Red Admirals are still around my Beijing Buddleia.”

Monday 10^th October: With the weather so unseasonably warm Dave Wilton couldn't resist stopping at the Rushbeds Wood tramway on his way to work this morning. “Unfortunately there was no sign of Brown Hairstreak but I did see Comma (13) and Red Admiral (1) on the brambles. Perhaps more interesting was a lone Peacock fluttering rather dozily around the entrance to the wood, presumably having been woken from its slumber by the warm sunshine.”

Sunday 9^th October 2005

Dennis Dell sent this report on 7^th October: “We are all still seeing the Red Admiral, and will probably continue to do so for some time to come. My Beijing Buddleia is no longer in its first flush, but there are still plenty of flowers, and even during the last two dull days there have been a couple of Red Admirals feeding for most of the day. I've just read again Ford's 'Butterflies' which has a long chapter devoted to migration; I was under the impression that this species migrates back southwards in October, but this is not mentioned at all in the book. In that case, those specimens which we are seeing now will hibernate, but most will perish during the winter (according to Ford). The only migration is into these islands from the south during the summer. I'm not convinced, because friends in Switzerland visit particular valleys in the mountains in October where they observe thousands of birds and Red Admirals flying southwards together”

Wednesday 5^th October 2005

Dave Wilton saw his first October butterfly yesterday morning (4th): ”A Red Admiral whizzed by while I was at the Waste Recycling Site off Raban's Lane in Aylesbury. In the afternoon I went out to the area around Wendlebury, Oxon where I managed to find another two Red Admirals (on ivy), five Commas (on bramble) and a single Small Copper (also on bramble). I managed to add just one more Brown Hairstreak egg to the total with a singleton found beside the railway line at SP557-177.”

Dave Maunder reports seeing the following in Aylesbury during the last week:- “Red Admirals (13) all on Ivy; Peacock (1) - in warehouse at work; Comma (1), Small Whites (2, on the 2nd.). Also at Eythrope on Sunday 2nd. I saw Red Admirals (7), Comma (1), and a nice selection of birds of prey which included 3 x Hobby, 1 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard and 2 Red Kites!”

Tuesday 4^th October 2005

The following was received from Tony Croft today, 4^th October: “I have just returned from Whitecross Green Wood and was lucky enough to see a female Brown Hairstreak on hawthorn in an open area near the green lane. I also found 12 eggs. The only other butterflies seen were a male Brimstone, a Red Admiral and two Speckled Wood. At Rushbeds Wood on Sunday with the work party we saw 4 Comma, 3 Small Copper and several Speckled Wood.”

Sunday 2^nd October 2005

Sunday 2^nd October - Jim Asher sent the following interesting news: “A poor day to see anything much, given the low temperatures and breeziness. However I did manage one Large White at home, one Red Admiral plus 4 Brown Hairstreak eggs at Whitecross Green Wood this morning and one Small Copper, one female Brown Argus (see photo below) and three Purple Hairstreak eggs near Hitchcopse pit. Six species.”

1^st October - Tom Dunbar reports seeing 4 Red Admirals in Aylesbury Churchyard today, 1^st. Also 1 Red Admiral, 3 Commas and 1 Speckled Wood seen in 40 minutes at Grangelands this morning.

Then, on 2^nd October: “Butterflies were very few today at Bernwood Oakley with single sightings of Comma, Red Admiral and Speckled Wood. I looked in several hotspots for Brown Hairstreak but it failed to show. I still hoped to get my first October adult Brown Hairstreak and spent 50 minutes at Whitecross Green Wood. The only butterfly on the wing seemed to be an unidentified White until my binoculars turned up a solitary female Brown Hairstreak on an ash. A quick look along Widnell Lane on my way home failed to produce any further sightings.”

Jan Haseler sent the following report on 27^th September: “I saw 4 Common Blues at Green Park, Reading, today, 27^th. The furthest plot of a new business park was prepared with hardcore about 5 years ago, and has been untouched ever since. It has been colonised by buddleia, birdsfoot trefoil, mullein and lots more. In August there were 40+ Common Blues. I wonder whether today's 4 were still the 2nd generation, or perhaps a 3rd generation?”

Monday 26^th September 2005

Nick Bowles was out cycling on Saturday 24^th and reports the following: “I saw Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Red Admiral, Comma and Speckled Wood in Wendover Woods. I went on to College Lake in the late afternoon and it had clouded up though 2 guys there said that a little earlier they had definitely seen a Common Blue and a probable Small Blue.

Then on Sunday 25^th, I went to Finemere Wood and saw just 4 species: Small White, Red Admiral, Comma and Speckled Wood. I went home rather promptly after a wetting in the rain (that was definitely not forecast for lunchtime!!)

Finally, the direction of Red Admiral flight is intriguing at this time of year, some are definitely going very strongly south-south west; others are moving north, whilst most are just hanging about. Stuart Hodges tells me he drove along a track parallel to a southbound Red Admiral on Saturday and was able to keep exactly level at 15mph. If it kept going at that speed whilst weather permitted, it should be going out to sea about now headed for France.”

Tom Dunbar decided to visit chalk downland in the Pitstone area on Sunday 25^th: “Either side of the heavy rain I managed to locate just 4 species - Small Copper, Common Blue, Speckled Wood and Small Blue.”

The recent Small Blue sightings are unusually late in the year, raising questions as to whether it’s a third brood. If the warm September weather continues, keep looking out for the late emergence of butterflies, such as the White Admiral (click here to read the Second Brood White Admiral alert.).

25/9 - Jim Asher reports: “Just returned from BC Council strategic meetings (Fri/Sat). There were about 30+ Red Admirals on the BC Head Office buddleias (beijing) plus one fresh Peacock (!!!) two Painted Ladies, Small Tortoiseshell and several Hummingbird Hawk Moths. Six of us from yesterday's meeting stayed over and walked in superb sunny but breezy weather near Worth Matravers this morning. We scored 12 species: Large White, Small White, Speckled Wood, several Wall Brown, Small Copper, Common Blue, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Adonis Blues and one Clouded Yellow! Plus - one Writing Spider (Argiope bruennichi) – see photo below. Most were seen in the Winspit quarry just above the sea.

On Sunday 25^th several reports were received of butterflies and Hummingbird Hawk Moths nectaring on garden plants:

Dennis Dell counted 6 Red Admirals on the Beijing Buddleia he planted last year.

Dave Wilton’s newly planted Beijing Buddleia is being visited regularly by a Hummingbird Hawk Moth.

David Redhead reports one Comma and one Red Admiral on ivy flowers – but the Michaelmas Daisies & Sedums are devoid of butterflies.

Wendy & Mick Campbell’s Buddleia (variety unknown) attracted Red Admiral (2), Painted Lady, Comma, Large White and Small White, plus a Hummingbird Hawk Moth which has been a fairly regular visitor in the last few weeks. Nothing on the Sedum or Michaelmas Daisies, but the Verbena is proving moderately popular with the butterflies.

Saturday 24^th September 2005

David Redhead’s Swyncombe Down transect today, 24^th, produced only 12 butterflies - 9 Meadow Brown, 2 Small Copper and a Peacock. Sadly no Small Blues.

24th September - Tom Dunbar reports seeing 7 butterfly species today: "I visited Rushbeds Tramway in an unsuccessful attempt to locate a female Brown Hairstreak. I did manage a Small White, one Red Admiral, eight Commas, one Small Copper and two Speckled Woods. Next port of call was Chinkwell Wood for an outside chance of a second brood White Admiral - I saw one there in 2003. Only butterflies to add to my list for the day were a single male Brimstone, one Green-veined White and four Brown Hairstreak eggs - two of these were in the field on the northern edge of the wood."

Saturday 24^th – Mick & Wendy Campbell had a very productive walk in the Holton area today. They found a good quality blackthorn hedge in a warm, sunny location and stopped to search for eggs. Just as they found their first egg, a very worn female Brown Hairstreak flew out across the field, settling at intervals in the grass to bask in the sun. Two further female Brown Hairstreaks were subsequently recorded along the hedge, one of which was seen laying an egg on the blackthorn. Judging by the reasonably good condition of the second and third females, they could well be on the wing into October, weather permitting! The complete list for the day was: Brown Hairstreak (3), Speckled Wood (2), Large White, Red Admiral, Comma (7), Peacock (sunning itself high up on the trunk of a Birch tree) and a Common Blue.

Friday 23^rd September 2005

David Redhead reported the following on 22nd September. “This afternoon Wendy & I popped out to Swyncombe Down. Amazingly we saw a pair of Small Blues - I reckon these are contenders for the UTB all comers last sighting record and even more amazingly they were both quite fresh looking (see photo of one below). Also seen three Meadow Brown, a couple of Speckled Wood and singletons of Small Heath, Peacock, Comma & Red Admiral.”

Tuesday 20^th September 2005

Dave Wilton had two Small Coppers in his Westcott garden on 17^th September: “They were going through a little courtship display - that's a massive total for here as I've never had more than one before!”

17/9 - Dennis Dell sent this photo of a Small Tortoiseshell on a light pink variety of Sedum, which he planted in his garden last year. He wonders if this is favoured over the darker pink variety of Sedum which failed to attract any Small Tortoiseshells.

14/09/05 – Tony Croft found 3 Brown Hairstreak eggs on the outside edge of Whitecross Green Wood. “There’s quite a bit of good and searchable blackthorn around that field. Had a quick look along the road between Chilton and Chearsley railway bridge yesterday but no joy yet.”

Monday 19^th September 2005

Female Brown Hairstreaks are still on the wing as the following recent reports show. Please continue to report sightings to David Redhead (UTB Brown Hairstreak Champion). Besides examining blackthorn it is also a good idea to keep an eye in particular on Ash and Oak trees especially if you are out in the second half of the afternoon. Times of sightings are especially useful at the moment along with weather details if possible. Last year they were seen several times to be active in temperatures as low as 16C and once at 15C and the sun did not have to be shining. Will they last until the first week of October again?

17^th September - Tom Dunbar dropped into the Woodham Industry site just north of the A41, en route to Laplands Farm, where a Brown Hairstreak had been seen in 2003 by Tim Watts. He says the blackthorn is very good but unfortunately no Brown Hairstreaks were seen. Laplands did produce one female Brown Hairstreak however: “it was on the second group of ashes in from the Bernwode plants gate on the railway hedgerow. It started on ash, moved to oak momentarily, before flying onto the blackthorn out of sight. I also did a partial egg-search and managed 18. I was surprised not to find any Small Coppers having had a report of 98 being seen in North Surrey on Tuesday. I managed 99 some years ago at a site near Buckingham at this time of year.”

12^th September - Paul Huckle went to Whitecross Green Wood Tuesday 12^th which produced one rather tatty female Brown Hairstreak. She was flying around the small meadow clearing just by the car park and he watched her rest for about 2 minutes on a small oak tree.

11^th September – David Redhead did the Shabbington Wood transect. “I parked in the small Bernwood Meadows car park so I could examine the hedgerows for egg-laying females. None seen on the way across and no Brown Hairstreaks on transect - in fact a near record low 7 only butterflies - 2 Red Admiral (and one of those was on dumped apple peelings in the old Hell Coppice car park), 3 Speckled Wood, 1 Green-veined White & 1 Common Blue. The mass of ride side Devilsbit Scabious was totally unoccupied except for the one Red Admiral. Becky Woodell later told me she had seen about 30 Commas on the Scabious two days earlier on the Oakley Wood transect - had they all hibernated in the meantime! Back across the meadows again no Brown Hairstreaks. I then went up into the meadows north of the car park looking in ash & oak trees as well as at hedgerows. In the ash tree at the narrowest point a Brown Hairstreak settled and then opened its wings to show it was a female. I then moved down to the Menmarsh Road ash trees, which this year had proved totally frustrating in spite of several visits (2004 had 4 sightings here but 2003 none). I walked from the western end to the start of the footpath back to Bernwood Meadows - just 3 Speckled Woods. Walking back to my car a movement in the ash tree just before the large oak on the opposite side of the road caught my eye - a Brown Hairstreak female just opening her wings.”

Tuesday 13^th September 2005

Dave Wilton recorded 10 butterfly species on 12^th September – his report follows: “Proving that they're still out there to confuse us while looking for the Brown, I disturbed this rather battered Purple Hairstreak from the ground in Finemere Meadows this afternoon. It flew into a small oak and perched there rather obligingly for the camera (see photo below). Few other butterflies were active in the meadows, the only other species noted being Comma (1), Speckled Wood (3), Meadow Brown (1), Small Heath (2) and a lone Silver-Y moth. The bramble patches within Finemere Wood produced Comma (6) and Speckled Wood (28), both species undergoing their usual autumn increase in numbers, but the other species seen were all single specimens: Small White, Green-veined White, Small Copper, Common Blue and Red Admiral.”

On 6th September David Redhead had the following in his garden in Oxon: “Just now (11:15) in the garden 3 Red Admiral & 5 Comma - distribution: nectaring on buddleia = 2 Red Admiral & 1 Comma; nectaring on ivy flowers = 1 Red Admiral & 3 Comma; pretending to be a Brown Hairstreak in an ash tree = 1 Comma. Also about a Speckled Wood and a couple of unidentified whites.”

Thursday 8^th September 2005

4^th September - Ros and Mike Flemming sent this interesting report: “We can confirm sightings of Brown Hairstreak at Asham Meads on the Bank Holiday Monday (29th August) and on Saturday, 3rd September. On 29th August, a walk around the Meads produced nil result until returning to the car park at 2:45pm, when one individual was seen high in the trees at the entrance from the lane. A second flew in from the east just before we left. Later, on the same afternoon, we had good views of very bright Comma and Red Admiral in Bernwood (near the BBOWT Meadow).
On 3rd September, on a late afternoon visit and walk along the lane southwards from Asham Meads, we saw a very active female Brown Hairstreak in the hedgerow on the east side of the lane. After we had watched for about half an hour (at about 5pm), she settled on what appeared to be a carefully selected perch for the night. She walked around the leaf for a considerable time, sampling the surface with her proboscis and opening and closing her wings repeatedly before settling down in the selected position. It was noticeable that there were several yellow leaves surrounding the spot, which provided excellent camouflage. On returning from a walk across Otmoor at about 6:30 pm, she was still in the same position. Other butterflies seen in the area included Speckled Wood (several), Small White (few), Common Blue (several), Brown Argus (2) roosting on grass, Small Tortoiseshell (1, pristine). There were many dragonflies, including Migrant Hawker, and moths, including Magpie.”

Dave Wilton went out on two site visits, 3^rd & 4^th September and found the following:

4^th September – “The Painted Lady (see photo below) was one of two seen feeding from devil's-bit scabious in the disused railway cutting west of Westcott Airfield this afternoon.

Other species present were Brimstone (1), Large White (1), Green-veined White (7), Brown Argus (5), Common Blue (66), Small Tortoiseshell (1), Speckled Wood (7), Meadow Brown (3), Gatekeeper (1), Small Heath (23) and moths Green Carpet (1), Lesser Treble-bar (3).”

“I had another look at BBOWT's River Ray reserves south of Marsh Gibbon in the afternoon of 3^rd September, mainly with Brown Hairstreak in mind. “All hedgerows of all fields were checked, along with each ash that I came across, but I saw no adult Brown Hairstreak activity there at all. I did make a half-hearted attempt at looking for eggs every now and again and eventually managed to find my first of the season, proving that the adults are out there somewhere! Most of the butterflies that I saw were confined to patches of Water Mint in ditches and along the banks of the River Ray. They comprised Green-veined White (4), Small Copper (2), Common Blue (14), Red Admiral (1), Small Tortoiseshell (4), Comma (1), Speckled Wood (1) & Small Heath (20).”

Wednesday 7^th September 2005

David Redhead sent in the following four updates:

Sunday 4th September. ”Wendy & I paid a late afternoon visit to Watlington Hill. We managed only 1 Silver-spotted Skipper. Also 18 Meadow Brown, 17 Common Blue, 17 Small Heath, 1 Small Tortoiseshell & 1 Speckled Wood. But the highlight was a Clouded Yellow - only my second of the year and Wendy's first.”

Report on the joint UTB/BBOWT meeting at Whitecross Green Wood on Saturday, 3rd September - “Summing it up in one word – phenomenal! A total of 12 Brown Hairstreak seen - including, yes we did it again, a mating pair! This time they were in an oak tree (actually an outlier of a combined ash/oak complex). Again there was a third in attendance but this time just sitting close by and not attempting to interfere. Jim Asher managed an amazing photo (see below) - not as high up as last time but further back in the tree. As you can see the male is extremely faded and hardly recognisable as a Brown Hairstreak (not a trick of the camera as this was the way it looked through binoculars). Another much brighter male was seen perched in an oak comprising part of another ash/oak complex. The other eight were all low level females - three being in the car park when the remnants of the party returned to their cars. One of these was actually viewed egg-laying. Another eleven eggs were found - 2 at the first intersection, 2 on the main hedge in the car park and 7 on the north facing hedge in the car park. These last 7 were all found by Una Fenton - interestingly Tony Croft and I were unable to find any along this hedge when we carried out our intensive search last March. Other species seen: Purple Hairstreak, Speckled Wood (both up in the tree canopy and causing confusion), Comma (four nectaring on a patch of Devilsbit Scabious), Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Red Admiral, Brimstone & Small Heath (an unusual record for this site).”

Friday 2nd September - “Today looking for the Brown Hairstreak gave me some interesting observations. In perfect conditions I started at the ash trees east of the Menmarsh Guide Post. The one just past the large oak on the opposite side of the road had four Speckled Woods moving about in its canopy. Their main interest seemed to be the bare branches where they seemed to be finding something to feed on. At the start of the footpath north into Bernwood Forest there is a small ash tree. This was especially active with one Red Admiral, 2 Commas and 2 Speckled Woods in its canopy. The Speckled Woods, along with one of the Commas, were behaving exactly like the previous ones whilst the other Comma and the Red Admiral sat majestically on leaves sunning themselves. I did eventually find my Brown Hairstreak flying and perching high in an ash/oak combination alongside the field to the east of Bernwood Meadows. Also seen were Holly Blue & Purple Hairstreak.”

Monday 29th August –”I managed to get permission from the Beechwood Estate for a small group to survey Pyrton & Shirburn Hills for the Silver-spotted Skipper. I am glad to say our quest was successful with its continuing presence being confirmed as we counted some 15 individuals at each site. Our Silver-spotted Champion view was that we had a small to medium sized colony at both sites. At Pyrton Hill we also saw Meadow Brown, Common Blue, Brown Argus, Small Copper, Small Heath, Large White, Small White, Brimstone, Red Admiral & Comma. The species diversity, reflecting the lower diversity of the vegetation, was less at Shirburn Hill with only Meadow Brown, Common Blue, Brown Argus, Small Heath & Red Admiral being seen.

Pyrton Hill is one of our premier butterfly sites (historical records indicate it is home to another 5 key species) but it is sadly under-recorded. We are currently negotiating with the Beechwood Estate to regularly monitor this site in the future. Anybody wishing to assist please contact David Redhead at red.admiral@ntlworld.com.”

Monday 5^th September 2005

On 2^nd September Dave Wilton spent another couple of hours at Lapland Farm: “Having parked at the junction of Kingswood Lane and the road to Ludgershall, I was greeted by a single male in the top of the ash right at the entrance to the bridleway that leads down to Bernwode Plants. The section of bridleway between the road and the railway produced Green-veined White (1), Common Blue (1), Painted Lady (1), Small Tortoiseshell (1), Meadow Brown (4), Gatekeeper (2), Small Heath (1) and Silver-Y moth (1), all of these being on devil's-bit scabious. The ash trees by the railway bridge and the entrance to Bernwode Plants produced only a pair of Speckled Woods and a solitary rather battered Purple Hairstreak. However, the first of the Lapland meadows produced another Brown Hairstreak, this time a female in egg-laying mode. I didn't see any further Brown Hairstreaks, despite scouring all of the hedgerows of both meadows as well as the drover's lane to the north. The only butterflies seen were Green-veined White (1), Common Blue (2), Red Admiral (1), Speckled Wood (5), Meadow Brown (19) and Small Heath (6). Following yesterday's report I even had a look down the north-south ride in the wood but all I found there was a single Speckled Wood.”

Phil Coles went to Rushbeds Wood on September 1^st mid-pm and recorded a Brown Hairstreak in the NW to SE ride midway between that ride’s intersection with the W to E ride and the small gate from the wood into Lapland Farm, so within the wood. It was slightly worn and prospecting a straggly Blackthorn bush and good views were obtained while it sunned itself on a Hazel leaf.
[“I think this is a first - whilst Brown Hairstreaks have frequently been seen on the wood edge and in the meadows to the north (Lapland Farm) and the south (The Tramway) as far as I know it has never been seen inside the wood.” David Redhead, UTB Brown Hairstreak Champion]

On 01/09/05 Janet Frost sent in this sighting: “I would like to report a sighting of a female Brown Hairstreak on 23^rd August at about 12.30 at Asham Meads. It was at ground level and then on bramble in the hedge, in the top field on the opposite side to the car park. It was about 10 yards to the right of where the telegraph wires cross the boundary of the field. This was the first time I had seen a brown hairstreak so close and it was a very definite sighting! I've been surveying the Asham Meads reserve for BBOWT this summer, but have only been able to make the minimum four visits.”

Report by David Redhead on the UTB meeting at Lardon Chase, Sunday 28th August:

“There was a very good turn out with some creative car parking required at this extremely popular National Trust site. Heading down the first slope Common Blue and Chalkhill Blue were quickly ticked off. Then a mating pair was discovered and after some discussion and helpful partial opening of wings it was decided they were Adonis Blue with the female being a spotless aberrant (later reference to the Natural History Museum website showed this to be a recognised aberrant: ab krodeli – see photo below).

As usual the best numbers of Adonis Blue were found on the far side of the scrub belt and quite some time was spent here admiring the brilliant blue males. Chalkhill Blue females were still about in reasonable numbers, male numbers now much reduced but a couple of surprisingly fresh males were seen. Our Adonis Blue Champion, Maureen Cross, persuaded us to move on to the neighbouring Lough Down. My recent visits to Lardon Chase usually ignored Lough Down as from previous sorties the grass there had proved rather rank with the butterflies much fewer than the Chase. Not so any more since the National Trust have taken on the management and we were to see Chalkhill and Adonis Blues there including a mating pair of each. This time the Adonis Blue female was "normal" (see photo above). We thought we saw an Adonis Blue female egg-laying on the Horseshoe Vetch but an egg search proved unsuccessful. However, Una Fenton's sharp eyes came up with a substitute on a nearby plant which, on closer examination, the consensus view was that it was a Chalkhill Blue egg.

An extremely successful and enjoyable meeting with 13 butterfly species being seen - in addition to those already mentioned: Brown Argus, Small Copper, Large White, Green-veined White, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small Heath & Speckled Wood and finally the rare Hornet Robber Fly (photo above).”

Wednesday 31st August 2005

In a short visit to Waterperry Wood today, 31^st August, Wendy & Mick Campbell recorded 8 species of butterfly: Small White (6), Red Admiral (3 – all pristine, nectaring on fleabane and hemp agrimony), Speckled Wood (2), Large White (1), Common Blue (3), Comma (2), Small Copper (1) and a fresh Green-veined White. Also seen were: Silver-y Moth, Slow-worm and a Great-spotted Woodpecker.

Dennis Dell and Tom Dunbar were in the Piddington area in the afternoon of 29^th August: “Only two Brown Hairstreaks seen: one female low down in Widnell Lane, and a male on the edge of a field nearby, also low down. This male (see photo below) was keeping to a small patch of thistle and bramble - we watched it there for about 15 minutes and went off. About one hour later we returned and it was still on the same thistles, nectaring! We also found 5 eggs in the area.”

Derek Brown was surprised by the arrival of another Grayling in his garden at Beenham on Sunday 28^th. “We checked out Bucklebury Common on Sunday which is a potential Grayling site and about 2-3 miles from us but it's currently undergoing a lot of restoration work and unlikely to be a viable site at present. Nice to finally see lots of Red Admirals in the garden - up to six on the Buddleia at any one time - one clearly migrated up from Somerset as it helped itself to my Cider (see photo below)!

I also think that the underside of Red Admiral is stunning when you see them up close. 3 Small Tortoiseshells, 2 Commas and 1 Peacock making up the Vanessids. However I still haven't seen a Painted lady in the garden so far this year - seems to be a poor one for them.”

Sunday 28^th August 2005

The Adonis Blue Field Trip to Lardon Chase today, 28^th August, was very successful. Thank you to everyone who attended and to David Redhead for leading the Field Trip. A full report will follow shortly.

Dave Wilton sent this report in today, 28^th: “Once I got home from work I had a transect to do at Finemere so that kept me occupied in this afternoon's sunshine. Since my last visit two weeks ago the butterfly numbers have dropped away even further, with 34 from just 7 species being recorded within the wood itself (Small White, Green-veined White, Common Blue, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper & Small Heath). There were dragonflies everywhere, though - pity I didn't take my field guide! Despite the fresh south-westerly breeze the new meadows were far more productive for butterflies, bringing in a total of 89 from 10 species (Large White, Small White, Brown Argus, Small Copper, Common Blue, Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown & Small Heath). Once again it was the Small Heath which came top of the league, with 63 recorded in the meadows and 7 more in the wood. Back home at Westcott, the last of the 6 or 7 Peacocks that had been fattening themselves up on my garden buddleia had disappeared by 18th August, presumably into hibernation, and they've been replaced by Red Admirals and Small Tortoiseshells. Today 2 Red Admirals and four Small Torts were feeding from it.”

On Thursday 25th August David Redhead and Nick Bowles decided to explore Span Green with the hope of giving Nick his first close-up view of a male Brown Hairstreak: ”It was only 15C and breezy when we arrived at 10.30 but at least the sun was shining. The exposed ash trees at the north end only got a cursory examination while we headed for the southern end where the Wild Angelica would give us our best chance of a nectaring male. These two areas are divided by a small copse. Three-quarters of the way through the copse you come to what would be a small clearing except it is overgrown with brambles. Here we spotted a pair of Brown Hairstreaks flying in the top of the 2 ash trees facing us - one settled long enough for us to identify it as a female, was the other a male paying court? Just before you come out of the copse there is a small clearing surrounded by a large ash, ash/oak combination and large oak. Whilst we stood examining the ash/oak combination Nick's quick eyes spotted a movement in the large oak which turned out to be a basking female with a large chunk of her right hind-wing missing. Eventually we got to the Wild Angelica - occupied by flies of various sorts but no male Brown Hairstreaks. We then moved on to the south end of the bridleway leading up to Nashway Farm. We were just commenting on the excellent egg-laying habitat when there before us on the blackthorn was a female Brown Hairstreak. She manoeuvred about and then before our very eyes laid an egg. On our return to our cars the large oak in the clearing produced another basking female - we know she was a different butterfly as her wings were intact. The ash trees in the northern half now got a closer inspection but produced nothing. So a total of 5 Brown Hairstreaks - 4 females and one sex undetermined but no close-up of a male for Nick. Ash tree searchers please note that Purple Hairstreak are still about, we picked up 5 in the ash trees. Also a fresh brood of Speckled Woods many showing the usual tendency to explore the tree canopy. Fresh Green-veined Whites were numerous. Also seen 3 Red Admirals (one absolutely pristine), Small Copper (4), Common Blue (2), Gatekeeper (3), Small White, Large White and Meadow Brown.”

Saturday 27^th August 2005

25^th August Dennis Dell sent in the following report and photo: “Seen in Claydon Woods today after a rain shower: Purple Hairstreak (rather worn!) displaying; it's rather unusual to see this species with its wings open.”

On 23^rd August Wendy & Mick Campbell visited the Calvert Jubilee site (a BBOWT permit-only reserve), where they recorded the following: Common Blue (7), Small Heath (4), Speckled Wood (4), Large White (1), Gatekeeper (1), Brown Argus (1), Holly Blue (2) and Purple Hairstreak (2). At a nearby private site they also saw a probable Wall Brown which landed briefly on thistle and then flew off at great speed.

Last Sunday (21st) Dave Wilton had another search for Brown Hairstreak in the Dorton and Brill areas: “The young copse just north of Spa Farm, Dorton produced a single Brown Hairstreak while I found another inside Chinkwell Wood. The latter came as quite a surprise. It was sitting on a dock leaf a good 100 yards up the footpath from the wood's southern entrance. While I was getting my camera out it was 'spooked' by a Speckled Wood and flew off into some rather tired-looking blackthorn. Despite the presence of several ash trees in the immediate vicinity, this spot does not look at all like ideal Brown Hairstreak territory. Chinkwell also produced a reasonable total of Speckled Woods (14) but little else of note. I rounded off the trip by paying a visit to the disused railway line to the west of Westcott airfield where there were reasonable quantities of Common Blue (91) and Small Heath (20).”

Apologies to Nick Bowles for the late posting of this report for 17^th August: “I visited 5 sites today prospecting for Chalkhill Blue and had mixed success. First I called at Aston Clinton Ragpits (ACR) where the brood continues very well but the Large Skipper and Marbled White I saw earlier in this (transect) week were both gone. Imagine they will be my last of the year. Then into Wendover Woods to check out the potential spread of Chalkhills on to the large expanse of Horseshoe vetch in the clearing by the FE offices. For the fourth year since I found this large area of vetch no sign of Chalkhills even though it is probably less than 1000m from ACR. However there was my first Silver Washed Fritillary in this part of the wood. Lots of violets here but they are all in the open so perhaps too warm for the SWF (colour faded but close to valezina).
On to College Lake where Ched George had seen a Chalkhill earlier in the month. The temporary, introduced, colony here died out after a single season (click here for report) but the odd vagrant does occur. Anyway I saw a definite fresh male and I believe a definite female plus another probable female. The male also chased a brown butterfly of appropriate size for it to be another female high into a sallow but the 'brown-blue' disappeared. The male returned to quartering the Horseshoe vetch patches. Given the large numbers of Brown Argus and female Common Blue here, there is a chance of me being wrong (and a few Small Blue to add to the confusion of species). It is unlikely that the male is the same seen by Ched and the warden says that at least 1 other has been reported before today’s sighting. Just possibly this really represents a new breeding site. I doubt however that there is enough Horseshoe vetch to support a separate colony for any length of time.
Butterflies seen today: Small Skipper, Brimstone, Large White, Small White and Green-veined White, Small Blue, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Chalkhill Blue, Red Admiral, Peacock, Comma, Silver-washed Fritillary, Speckled wood, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper and Small Heath. Only 18 spp; a sign of the end of summer?”

Wednesday 24^th August 2005

Tom Dunbar sent in this report on 23rd August: “Today was a day of two halves - the glorious game! A visit to Widnell Lane was more than worthwhile with sightings of 5 Brown Hairstreak adults. Four were seen on 3 separate ash trees - two of these being new assembly trees. The fifth adult was a female in ovipositing mode on blackthorn. On close inspection of the twig two eggs were found. A further two eggs were located a short distance away. The egg laying season has begun! I was joined by Dennis Dell in the afternoon to visit some downland sites for Silver Spotted Skipper. We located 16 at Butlers Hangings and a further one at a private site close to Princes Risborough. Unfortunately the weather outlook won't allow a replay tomorrow!”

Tim Watts had a good look at all suitable and accessible areas of Calvert landfill on Sunday 21/8/05 and eventually found 1 Wall Brown along with 2 Clouded Yellow. He was hoping for more after 5 were sighted on 16^th in the Calvert drain area. “Couldn't have wished for a sunnier day to look for them. Maybe more were basking out of sight.”

18^th August Nick Bowles saw his first Painted Lady of the year on the buddleia in his garden, just over the border in Tring. “Brown Argus, Common Blues and Holly Blues all in the last two days and a fly-past by a Red Admiral to accompany the various whites, Meadow Browns and Gatekeepers.”

22^nd August - John Harrison reports a Clouded Yellow seen on the Otmoor Reserve yesterday, 21st.

On Saturday morning, 20^th, David Redhead set off in sunshine to finally try and find a Brown Hairstreak in Noke Wood: ”By the time I arrived it had clouded over and all I managed was a few Meadow Browns and a Speckled Wood, so after an hour I moved on to Otmoor and the path south of the RSPB reserve where four Brown Hairstreak were seen on Day 2 of the Brown Hairstreak weekend. Again no Brown Hairstreaks but this area proved very sheltered from the wind and gave me a better count of other species - 8 Green-veined White, 5 Meadow Brown, 4 Gatekeeper, 2 Brown Argus, 1 Common Blue, 1 Large White & 1 Red Admiral. The bridleway to the east of the reserve added 5 more Green-veined White and 4 Speckled Wood. In the afternoon with the sun shining Wendy & I headed to Lardon Chase to check out the Adonis Blue for next Sunday's Field Meeting. 36 males and 3 females, all in good condition were reassuring. Chalkhills were still about in similar numbers but all rather tatty. Common Blues were present in even greater numbers and Meadow Browns must have gone into three figures. 3 each of Small Copper, Brown Argus, Small Heath, Large White, Gatekeeper and a single Brimstone brought the species total for the site to 10.

Sunday afternoon, 21^st saw a return to Noke Wood in much better weather conditions. After the twentieth false alarm due to a Purple Hairstreak or Speckled Wood an ash tree near the NW corner of the wood produced a single Brown Hairstreak which settled long enough in view to give a definite identification and from the brightness of the undersides and the orange flash when it flew on I have logged it as a female. So at long last success after three years of examining the numerous ash trees on the edge of this wood. Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large White and singletons of Peacock and Brimstone brought the species count for the site to 8 and the total number of species for my weekend to 16.”

Sunday 21^st August 2005

On 21^st August - Derek Brown sent the following news: “Much to my surprise we had a new butterfly species in the garden today. This morning Sunday 21^st nectaring on the Buddleia was a rather worn Grayling - first one in Beenham in all the 17 years we've been here! The nearest sites known to me are Decoy Heath and Silchester Common 5-6 miles away and Greenham Common about 10 miles away. I didn't think that they usually strayed too far from their normal range.”

Derek & Cathy also reported their butterfly sightings for 18^th & 20^th August: “On Thursday 18^th I saw 4x male Adonis Blue at Lardon Chase and another 3x on Saturday 20^th. All the Chalkhill Blues are looking very worn. On Thursday there were huge numbers, (>50) of Silver Spotted Skippers at Aston Rowant, although fewer on Saturday 20th. We also managed 4x female Brown Hairstreaks at Whitecross on the 20^th - 3x in the car park and down low. We also tried the Calvert Drain for the Wall Brown today without luck although I did see 3x Clouded Yellows there on Thursday.”

20/8 - Jan Haseler reports seeing 2 male Adonis Blues at The Holies on Thursday 18th Aug - the first she has seen there.

On 17^th August David Redhead and Dennis Dell spent about two and half hours in Whitecross Green Wood. Whilst they had about half a dozen possible Brown Hairstreak sightings in the ash trees and an oak (only very short flights and settling in unviewable positions) their only definite sighting was a male nectaring on Wild Angelica.

Also, David added the following to his report of 12^th August at Whitecross Green Wood: “I left out the best sighting - a White Admiral - only seen at a distance but it looked in good fettle.”

Thursday 18^th August 2005

18^th August - Chris Woodrow visited Watlington Hill today to see how many Silver-spotted Skippers were about:

“I arrived at 11.15 am and stayed for 45 minutes. During that time I saw Meadow Brown x 6, Red Admiral, Small Heath, numerous Common Blues, and eventually after 30 minutes found some Silver-spotted Skippers! Counted 8 in all during the next 15 minutes, which wasn't bad but could have been better! Weather was hot, with sunny periods, and no wind.”

Dave Wilton decided to have a look for Chalkhills at Seven Barrows and Crog Hill today, 18^th: “Seven Barrows came up trumps with 23 male and 10 female Chalkhill Blues, many of them looking decidedly worn. Despite being fairly cloudy, it was hot (27C) and there were plenty of other species active as well: Small Skipper (3), Brimstone (1), Small White (2), Green-veined White (1), Small Copper (3), Brown Argus (30 - don't think I've ever seen so many in one place before!), Common Blue (28, including a mating pair), Peacock (2), Painted Lady (1), Small Tortoiseshell (1), Meadow Brown (33), Gatekeeper (1) and Small Heath (36). Having taken so long at 7B I didn't have much time to spend at Crog Hill other than to confirm that the Chalkhill is also still present there - 9 males and 9 females, again all rather tired-looking. The only other species recorded were Large White, Common Blue and Meadow Brown. On my way back I did look specifically for Small Blue along the track at the base of the slope, where we'd recorded them earlier this year, but none was seen (none at 7B either), maybe because the track had been mown?”

Wendy & Mick Campbell paid a visit to Greenham Common on 17^th August to see how the Grayling was doing. They recorded 42 Grayling, many of which were quite worn. Other species seen were: Common Blue (a very conservative count of 89), Meadow Brown (21), Small Copper (5), Gatekeeper (12), Small Heath (12), Large White, Peacock (4), Speckled Wood (4), Small White, Brimstone (2), Red Admiral (4), Small Tortoiseshell (2) and Brown Argus (3). Moths included Treble-bar (15+) and a Hummingbird Hawk Moth.

Wednesday 17^th August 2005

Dave Wilton had a wander around Finemere Wood and the adjacent meadows in the late afternoon sunshine today, 17^th: “Only 13 species were recorded in the wood itself. Now that the rides have been mown there has been a significant reduction in butterfly numbers. The biggest disappointment, though, was in seeing only five Purple Hairstreaks active in the oaks along the main ride when last August at the same time of day I might have seen ten times that number. BBOWT's recently-acquired meadows to the south of the wood produced a healthy total of 10 species, the most numerous being a sizeable second brood of Small Heath (53 recorded). Common Blues were also very active there (33 seen), while a handful of Brown Argus and a single Small Copper were also recorded, most of them feeding from ragwort which seemed to be just about the only source of nectar available.”

Mel Jones sent this update from the Little Linford Wood Nature Reserve, north Bucks, on 17^th August: “I have a couple of other sightings to report, which according to the various databases I have are a first for the site: a single Marbled White last month, and yesterday one, possibly two, Silver-washed Fritillary.”

An historic Brown Hairstreak sighting was received today, 16^th August, from Caroline Steel, here is her report:

"At last - one adult Brown Hairstreak in Oxford City! I went to Cutteslowe Park today and walked to the area of scrub, etc. south of the recreation ground (find your way to the duck pond and head to the close mown recreation area and then turn right down a track). The Brown Hairstreak was flying with Purple Hairstreaks on the tallest ash tree along the path. It settled high up and appeared to be feeding on the ash buds. I only saw one - probably a male. The area of scrub is quite extensive and part of it is overgrown allotments. There are some good stands of blackthorn and oak and ash in the vicinity. Worth a visit if you can!"
David Redhead (our Brown Hairstreak Champion) comments - "This sighting is really exciting not just because it is an adult within the bounds of the City of Oxford but because it is a probable male in an ash tree. This opens up the possibility that during 2005 mating will occur within the City bounds and the butterfly is about to become an established Oxford resident."

On Tuesday 16^th August Paul Bowyer, Dave Wilton, Mick and Wendy Campbell decided to check the Calvert drain site to see if second brood Wall Brown had emerged. They were extremely pleased to record 5 Wall Brown (see photos below) even though the weather conditions were not ideal, being somewhat overcast. Other species recorded were: Small Skipper (10), Large White (3), Small White (2), Green-veined White (1), Brimstone (1), Clouded Yellow (5), Small Copper (1), Brown Argus (10), Common Blue (140), Small Tortoiseshell (1), Peacock (1), Comma (1), Marbled White (1), Wall Brown (5), Meadow Brown (6), Gatekeeper (38) & Small Heath (6). Moths included Shaded Broad-bar (5), Dusky Sallow (1) and Sitochroa palealis (1), while a number of Cinnabar caterpillars were also seen.

Monday 15^th August 2005

15^th August - Dave Wilton spent five hours out and about looking for Brown Hairstreak. “After a couple of false starts with Purple Hairstreaks and a Small Copper in ash trees along the roadside, Howe Wood near Dorton brought me one confirmed sighting of Brown Hairstreak, disturbed from brambles just inside the wood's southerly entrance. Vapourer Moths were very active here as well. A walk along the entire southern tramway at Rushbeds Wood produced no Brown Hairstreak sightings at all, although I was pleased to find six Small Coppers there. A look at the southern end of Span Green produced a singleton Brown Hairstreak in a field maple. I had hoped for more here, but there seemed to be less ash trees than I remember from last year and no further activity was noted. The M40 bridge on the Waterperry to Wheatley road brought me one more Brown Hairstreak sighting, seen first in a young ash on the east side of the bridge and then flying off over the blackthorn. That one ended up being the final record for the day. The River Ray meadows along the north side of the A41 near Marsh Gibbon produced none at all, the only excitement being provided by a single Clouded Yellow.”

David Redhead was in Whitecross Green Wood on 12^th August where he recorded a total of 10 Brown Hairstreak (of which 4 were definitely males and the other 6 pretty certainly so) all up in ash trees and no nectarers. He then went on to Asham Meads where he found a pristine female Brown Hairstreak sitting on a leaf quite low down.

On 15^th August David decided to go to Span Green to look for Brown Hairstreak and walked all the way down the track and back but saw nothing except several Meadow Browns and a Small Copper. He was there from about 2pm to 3.45pm – it was still extremely breezy and overcast until the last 15 minutes when the sun came out.

Robin Carr had another Silver-washed Fritillary on the Dancers End Transect on 9^th August.

Dennis Dell visited Incombe Hole, Steps Hill, and Ivinghoe Beacon on 10^th August looking for the Chalkhill Blue. Dark Green Fritillaries (4), were seen near the spot where the Icknield Way crosses the road; Chalkhill Blue (48), Gatekeeper (3), Small Skipper (10), Marbled White (2), Small White (2), Large White (5), Peacock (5), Brimstone (1), Small Heath (2), Meadow Brown (46), Brown Argus (1), Common Blue (2).

Saturday 13^th August 2005

12^th August - Ben Carpenter sent in a record of his butterfly sightings in Wytham for August so far: Small Copper; Painted Lady; Comma; Holly Blue; Brown Argus; Marbled White and Brimstone

On 11^th August Mick & Wendy Campbell continued their Brown Hairstreak surveys, firstly at a site south of Oakley where eggs were found last year. A search of the bramble and the few Ash trees in the vicinity proved unproductive, with only Purple Hairstreaks being recorded in the Ash trees. Next they went to Span Green where they were much more successful, finding 2 pristine female Brown Hairstreaks at low level (see photo below) and a little further on 4 male Brown Hairstreaks in Ash trees. One further Hairstreak high in an Ash tree could not be positively identified. They also discovered 2 batches of Small Tortoiseshell larvae at different stages of development.

Ched George visited Wendover woods on Thursday 11^th August with Robin Carr. They saw 1 Silver-washed Fritillary, probably male. It was flying strongly, so they could not see how fresh it was.

David Redhead eventually managed to get out after lunch on 11^th August to search for Brown Hairstreak. However, just as he was leaving, his attention was drawn to a Holly Blue. It was egg-laying on ivy growing up the west face of the house and whilst he watched she laid two eggs.

He then went to Stanton Little Wood where he located two Brown Hairstreak up in Ash - interestingly nowhere near Ash trees where they had been seen in the past, which at best only had Purples. Very quick visits to Bernwood Meadows and Menmarsh gave nothing.

11^th August – Dave Ferguson reports terrific numbers of Chalkhill Blues on Yoesden Bank: ”My estimate is fairly conservative - Chalkhill Blue (150), Common Blue (15), Brown Argus (1), Small Blue (1), Holly Blue (2), Silver-spotted Skipper (2), Essex/Small Skipper (3), Brimstone (6), Small White, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small Heath (5), Peacock (5).”

11/8 - Maureen Cross sent the following news: “Second brood Adonis Blue seen 9th August on Lardon Chase, confirmed today 11th August. Freshly hatched they are magnificent so please get out and about and report any sightings to me (Adonis Champion) maa.cross@btinternet.com.Thanks. Also saw many Chalkhill Blues and a couple of Clouded Yellows.”

On 10^th August Paul Bowyer, Wendy and Mick Campbell visited a number of sites to search for Brown Hairstreak:. Although the weather was overcast for most of the time it was warm.

Asham Meads 2 female and 3 male Brown Hairstreaks were seen. Other species identified were Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Speckled Wood, Large White, Small White, Green Veined White, Brimstone, Red Admiral, Peacock, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Small Skipper, Brown Argus, Holly Blue and Common Blue.

Honeyburge M40 bridge: No Brown Hairstreak seen, but did see a Purple Hairstreak.

Piddington 'green lane' site: 3 Brown Hairstreak in total. 2 males, 1 female. All seen in Ash tree.

Cow Leys Farm, Piddington, railway bridge. 1 male in good condition. Seen flying very briefly and then settled in Ash tree.

Widnell Lane, Piddington. 1 male in good condition. Seen flying briefly and then settled in Ash tree.

Paul had to depart at this point, but Mick & Wendy continued the search for a bit longer:

Ludgershall railway bridge, north: 1 fresh female in Ash tree.

Ludgershall railway bridge, south: 2 seen in Ash tree, 1 male & 1 female. Both looked in good condition and were sitting on top of a leaf within 2 inches of each other.

A grand total for the day of 13 Brown Hairstreaks.

On 9^th August Dennis Dell visited Bacombe Hill Nature Reserve and Coombe Hill; “Interesting mixed habitat because the top is typical, well-managed, chalk downland and the bottom of the escarpment is thickly wooded but with plenty of sunny areas. Half of it is managed by Bucks CC and the other half is National Trust. 19 species seen: Peacock (38), Meadow Brown (37), Green-Veined White (4), Gatekeeper (26), Small White (19), Brimstone (8), Chalkhill Blue (28), Small Skipper (6), Essex Skipper (2), Marbled White (3), Large White (12), Brown Argus (1), Small Heath (3), Common Blue (7), Small Copper (1), Speckled Wood (3), Comma (4), Red Admiral (3), Purple Hairstreak (1). Marbled Whites still around! Purple Hairstreak was interesting because there are few Oaks here. Most of the Chalkhill Blues occupied an open grassy plateau at the top of the hill.”
Dennis photographed this Chalkhill Blue on the top of Steps Hill just south of Ivinghoe Beacon on 10^th August:

Paul Cropper of Wokingham went to Lardon Chase on Sunday afternoon, 7^th, and saw several hundred Chalkhill Blue, at least 3 Brown Argus and 2 Clouded Yellow. He was looking for Adonis Blue and Dark Green Fritillary but no luck.

Then on Tuesday 9th August he saw three Brown Argus, included 2 mating, at a private site near Theale, Berks.

Friday 12^th August 2005

Brown Hairstreak Weekend (Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th August). Thanks to David Redhead, UTB Brown Hairstreak Champion for an excellent weekend and for the following report:

Saturday 6^th: “About 24 people from UTB, two other BC Branches and BBOWT turned up at Whitecross Green Wood. As it was overcast and the temperature was only 15C we decided to walk to the far end of the Reserve in the hope that the weather would have improved for our return journey. However, halfway there a very sharp-eyed Tony Roberts (Cambridgeshire & Essex Branch) located a mating pair at the top of an ash tree. A telescope, provided by Richard Rogers (East Midlands Branch), was trained on them allowing everybody a "close-up" view of a sight rarely witnessed. Shortly afterwards we were to be treated to an even rarer sight when a third Brown Hairstreak was seen flying about in the same ash tree. It then landed alongside our mating pair to create a ménage à trois. As the weather improved several more Brown Hairstreaks were spotted - three in ash trees, one in an oak, three males nectaring on wild angelica and a third basking on a bramble leaf. Our twelfth sighting was a female in distress - she had obviously only just emerged and appeared to have been unable to fully pump up her hind wings. Everybody went away happy and the photographers had a wonderful time as the nectaring males were all in pristine condition. Richard Rogers even managed to get a very respectable shot of our mating pair about thirty feet up. Six of us then went to Asham Meads in the afternoon where we were to see 3 males nectaring on bramble and a fourth firstly in an elm and then in an ash.”

Sunday 7^th: “11 UTB members met in the RSPB Otmoor Reserve car park and headed towards Noke Wood. Our first sighting of Brown Hairstreak was to be on the footpath immediately south of the reserve - a male flying between two small elms growing in the hedge. Further along another was seen in an ash tree. This specimen proved to be a worn male and it needed Gerry Kendall to train his telescope on it for us to be entirely sure that it was not a Purple Hairstreak. Gerry Kendall was to increase our total when he made an early exit and just before he got back to the car park came across a nectaring male and female on the same flowerhead of wild angelica (see photo at the top of this page). Meanwhile the rest of us were searching ash trees on the Oxfordshire Way and around Noke Wood. Gerry's telescope would have been invaluable as the only possible ones we saw were so high up they could not be definitely identified. However, Noke Wood did have a treat in store - Silver-washed Fritillaries. They could be seen flying up and down the footpath on the south edge of the wood and also deeper into the wood. Prior to 2005 there have been no records of this species here but we saw at least eleven which suggests there is a colony here. Another bonus for the day was a Clouded Yellow seen shortly after we left the car park.

So a very successful weekend with 20 Brown Hairstreaks and 25 species altogether - Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Large Skipper, Clouded Yellow, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Brown Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak, Small Copper, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Comma, Silver-washed Fritillary, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown & Ringlet.”

Tuesday 9^th August 2005

Tony Croft had his monthly turn at surveying Butler's Hangings for BBOWT yesterday, 8^th August, in perfect weather conditions: “I passed a Clouded Yellow on the road leading to the reserve and on the transect recorded 6 Brimstone, 5 Brown Argus, 74 Chalk Hill Blue, 24 Common Blue, 24 Gatekeeper, 19 Large White, 2 Marbled White, 138 Meadow Brown, 2 Painted Lady, 8 Peacock, 1 Small Heath, 4 Small Skipper and 7 Small White.”

Ched George visited Bix Nature Reserve Monday afternoon, 8th, 3.30pm - 4.30pm. He saw 2 male Silver-washed Fritillary, one fresh and one tatty. In the sightings book he noted some further sightings had been made: 7 SWF July 16^th, 1 SWF July 19^th and one SWF on August 6^th.

8^th August – Tom Dunbar visited Laplands Farm in search of Brown Hairstreak. He spent three hours at the site, a good deal of which found him searching blackthorn, bramble and any other available nectar sources and in total recorded 5 Brown Hairstreak - 3 females and 2 males. All five individuals seemed fresh and all were active in ash trees.

Monday 8^th August 2005

A search by Dave Ferguson for Chalkhill Blues in the Chequers area today, 8^th, produced the following:
Coombe Hill - Chalkhill Blue (20), Small Heath (6), Meadow Brown (13), Gatekeeper (2), Brimstone (1).
Happy Valley - Chalkhill Blue (24), Common Blue (2), Brown Argus (1), Small Heath (1), Meadow Brown (26), Gatekeeper (5), Brimstone (4), Small White (8), Peacock (3), Essex Skipper (2).
Beacon Hill - Chalkhill Blue (35), Common Blue (2), Brown Argus (2), Meadow Brown (12), Brimstone (2), Small White (1), Large White (1).
”No Silver-spotted Skippers, unfortunately.”

8^th August – Wendy & Mick Campbell decided to try Waterperry Wood/Smiths Lane for Brown Hairstreak today without success. However, they recorded 19 other butterfly species, the highlight being a very unexpected Purple Emperor which flew up over their heads and glided around the tree tops for several seconds while they were in the company of Dennis Dell, the Purple Emperor Champion. Gatekeeper was the most abundant species of the day (45), with many of the Meadow Brown (39) starting to look very worn compared to Peacock (29) which were mostly in pristine condition. Brown Argus, Common Blue and Small Copper were all present, but no White Admirals were seen, so it looks as though they may have gone over in this wood now.

On Saturday 6th August Paul Bowyer went up to Sands Bank Local Nature Reserve to try and find a Chalkhill Blue. Although the sun only appeared for about 10 seconds it was enough to activate 1 male Chalkhill Blue. Other species seen were Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large White, Common Blue and Brown Argus.

Sunday 7^th August 2005

The Brown Hairstreak weekend on 6^th & 7^th August was highly successful. A full report by David Redhead will follow soon. (See above.)

7^th August - Sandra and Kevin Standbridge sent the following today: “We are members of the Herts & Middx group and visited Bernwood Forest today and saw 7 Brown Hairstreaks. 1 was along the meadow field which has the gate in and was by the 1st big oak on blackthorn. The other 6 were near the small car park, turn left and they were on the left hand side near the various ash trees. We saw them from approx 10.00 until we left at 12.30.”

5^th August - When the sun came out in the afternoon Dave Wilton went to Lapland Farm for yet another Brown Hairstreak search, spending two hours there: “I carried out a thorough check of all those hedgerows that provided shelter from the northerly wind as well as staring at numerous ash trees. I managed to find three Brown Hairstreaks in all, two in an ash in the hedgerow that divides the two meadows (the one next to the large dead oak) and a battered one on brambles in the drover's lane. Eighteen butterfly species were active, the others being Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Purple Hairstreak, Small Copper, Common Blue, Red Admiral, Peacock, Comma, Marbled White, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Ringlet & Small Heath.”

Thursday 4^th August 2005

4^th August – Robin Carr reports seeing Silver-washed Fritillaries on two occasions at Dancers End, 1 on 15^th July during his transect and 2 on 2^nd August. Also several seen in Wendover Woods,

4th August Tom Dunbar sent in this update: “Ali Latham and I had mixed fortunes on the Brown Hairstreak today. My third visit to Laplands Farm again failed to turn up any individuals despite some reasonable weather. We had a similar result at the next known site in the Piddington area. However the weather improved dramatically in the early afternoon and persistence at a third regular location in the same area produced three individuals in two separate ash trees. Two of these were definite males, the third unidentified as to gender. Visits to three further regular sites again resulted in zero sightings. Today's additions brings my total to eleven for the season to date. My initial impression was that this season might not compare favourably with 2004 in terms of numbers seen by me. However checking my records shows this assumption to be incorrect with 13 adults seen by this date in 2004 albeit with fewer visits made than this season. It will be interesting to see what kind of numbers are on show this 'Brown Hairstreak' weekend.”

Thursday 4^th, Dave Wilton went to Woodsides Meadow, Wendlebury this afternoon to look for Brown Hairstreak but without success. Species seen comprised Small Skipper, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Small Copper, Peacock, Marbled White, Meadow Brown & Gatekeeper. He then went to the BBOWT reserve at Ardley where there were good numbers of butterflies active, including his first Painted Lady of the year: Small Skipper, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Small Copper, Peacock, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper & Small Heath were also recorded. He counted 32 Peacocks in all, most of them on teasels.

Mick & Wendy Campbell decided to do a more thorough search for Brown Hairstreak at Asham Meads this afternoon, 4^th August. In the first 15 minutes, along the NW hedge from the car park, they located two pristine male Brown Hairstreak, both nectaring on bramble (photo below). The second one was right in the far corner, completely sheltered from the cool breeze. After taking some photos they carried on right round the field, through to the neighbouring ones and back again, covering all hedges, Ash trees (which were being blown around too much) and bramble. No other Brown Hairstreaks found, but on returning to the "warm corner" about an hour and a half later, the one that posed for photos was still there, only a foot or two from where they left it! The sun had long since disappeared behind the clouds. Time was 5.00pm when they completed their circuit. Moths seen included the attractive Magpie Moth (photo below).

On Wednesday 3^rd August Dave Wilton visited a number of sites: He started at the M40 road bridge between Wheatley and Waterperry where he had found Brown Hairstreak eggs earlier in the year. Unfortunately the only butterflies seen were Whites and Gatekeepers. No Brown Hairstreaks located. In the afternoon he went Chalkhill Blue hunting, firstly at Yoesden Bank, Radnage, which produced a total of 304 males, 47 females and an additional two mating couples. Other species present were Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Large White, Green-veined White, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Small Copper, Peacock, Marbled White, Meadow Brown & Gatekeeper. He then took the footpath south and then east towards Bledlow Ridge to see if any of the fields on the slopes there were uncultivated. The northwestern half of one field produced another 11 Chalkhills (all male). Other species included Small White, Holly Blue, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma and Small Heath. Here he also found a Dusky Sallow moth feeding on marjoram (in addition to lots of Six-spot Burnets). Final call was at Aston Rowant (Beacon Hill) to find his first Silver-spotted Skipper of the year (see photo below). In 30 minutes he counted a dozen of them. He recorded 17 Chalkhills here (4 of them female) but barely scratched the surface so far as their numbers were concerned.

Wednesday 3^rd August 2005

David Ferguson said his search for Chalkhill Blues on 2^nd & 3^rd August produced the following:

2^nd August at Brush Hill: Chalkhill Blue (12), Common Blue (2), Holly Blue (1), Meadow Brown (100+), Gatekeeper (3), Marbled White (9), Brimstone (7), Small White (7), Large White (2), Essex Skipper (6), Small Skipper (4).

Whiteleaf Cross: Chalkhill Blue (2), Meadow Brown (50+), Gatekeeper (4), Speckled Wood (2), Marbled White (4), Brimstone (7), Small White (4), Large White (2), Small Skipper (2), Essex Skipper (1).

Then on 3^rd August Dave went to Coombe Hill where he recorded: Chalkhill Blue (5), Meadow Brown (30+), Gatekeeper (1), Marbled White (1), Brimstone (1), Painted Lady (1), Peacock (1), Essex Skipper (2).

And at Bacombe Hill: Chalkhill Blue (12), Common Blue (1), Meadow Brown (30+), Gatekeeper (4), Marbled White (1), Brimstone (2), Large White (3), Green-veined White(1), Peacock (1).

Paul Bowyer went to Greenham Common on Tuesday 2^nd August to see Graylings: “I was not disappointed, I counted 17 Graylings in all. Other species identified were Gatekeeper (70+), Meadow Brown (25+), Speckled Wood (2), Ringlet (2), Small Skipper (4), Essex Skipper (1), Common Blue (50+), Brown Argus (2), Small White (5), Large White (3), Green Veined White (1), Brimstone (7), Comma (2), Peacock (4), Painted Lady (2), Red Admiral (7).”

2^nd August - Tom Dunbar sent in this report for the last few days:
30th July – “Accompanied by Alan Wingrove AM 8 Silver Washed Fritillaries at Wendover Hale between heavy showers. PM I female Brown Hairstreak north of Piddington

31st July - accompanied by Alan Wingrove - Hard work locating Brown Hairstreak at various locations. Breakthrough occurred at Whitecross Green Wood in the afternoon with improved weather and the company of Jim Asher. Four Brown Hairstreak located, 3 definite males. Two of these males were low down feeding on Bramble and Meadowsweet respectively. Excellent views of freshly emerged specimens.

1st August - Chalkhill Blues were seen at 3 adjacent sites in the Princes Risborough area. 18 species recorded including Painted Lady.

2nd August - Two Brown Hairstreak recorded north of A41 at the first site I visited on the day - one definite male - both on ash at 11 am. Prospects looked well set for a good count for the day; however another four hours searching at a large site only produced one further specimen - a male on an ash a distance from the other known assembly trees.

It will be interesting to continue to monitor last year's assembly trees for repeated activity this year. A number failed to come up with the goods today. Perhaps emergence continues to be uneven?”

Wendy & Mick Campbell had a superb day on Tuesday 2^nd with a total of 25 butterfly species seen altogether: The first of 2 sites visited on 2^nd August was Wendover Woods where they carried out a fairly thorough survey in different parts of the wood for Silver-washed Fritillary, especially the sunny glades where they located them last year. 19 Silver-washed Fritillary were counted, only one of which was on the infamous buddleia (which, incidentally was weighed down with 20 very fresh Peacocks). They then went on to Aston Rowant (south side). Excellent numbers of Silver-spotted Skipper, with 64 recorded and total Chalkhill Blues was 73 (very conservative counting – many more were seen flying higher up the slopes), but only about 7 were females. One very fresh Small Blue was also noteworthy. The combined list for the day was: Peacock (36); Small Tortoiseshell (3); Brimstone (19); Comma (3); Large White (19); Holly Blue (1); Gatekeeper (20); Large Skipper (4); Meadow Brown (30++); Marbled White (5); Small Skipper (8); Red Admiral (3); Painted Lady (1); Silver-washed Fritillary (19); Common Blue (8); Speckled Wood (3); Green-veined White (3); Ringlet (4); Essex Skipper (1); Small White (13); Chalkhill Blue (73); Silver-spotted Skipper (64); Brown Argus (6); Small Heath (6); Small Blue (1)

On 3^rd August - Not so much luck today looking for Silver-spotted Skipper firstly at Chinnor Hill then Lodge Hill with a zero result. A single male Silver-washed Fritillary in pristine condition though at Chinnor Hill was a nice surprise.

Monday 1^st August 2005

Wendy & David Redhead headed south to Shirburn and Pyrton Hills this afternoon: Shirburn produced five Silver -spotted Skippers and Pyrton hundreds of Chalkhill Blues. The Chalkhill Blues were visible from the Oxfordshire Way and made a magnificent sight. They intend to get permission from the landowner to search the hillside more thoroughly when they hope to find Silver-spotted Skipper there as well. The first Silver-spotted Skipper they found had slightly crumpled wing tips but then, as they were watching, it twitched and its wings were fully erect - obviously it had only just emerged and was still pumping its wings up when first seen. Their total species count for the afternoon was 17 - Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Silver-spotted Skipper, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Common Blue, Chalkhill Blue, Brown Argus, Peacock, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Marbled White, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Ringlet & Small Heath.

Monday 1^st - David Ferguson reports as follows: “A visit this afternoon to a small area of herb-rich chalk grassland on the Wormsley Estate produced Chalkhill Blue (1), Common Blue (2), Meadow Brown (157), Gatekeeper (16), Marbled White (8), Brimstone (2), Large White (1), Green-veined White (3), Small White (12), Peacock (7), Comma (1), Small Tortoiseshell (2), Small Skipper (2), Essex Skipper (1).”

Dennis Dell was in a private wood in north Bucks for a couple of hours this afternoon, 1^stAugust. “It was overcast at first but warm, no wind, with sun breaking through at about 4 pm. One Purple Emperor, one White Admiral, and 5 Marbled Whites, two of which were fairly fresh looking males; it looks as if the Marbled White will be with us still for some time to come. I'm very interested to know how many Purple Emperors will still be seen in August. Two years ago, I saw the last one in this wood on 6th August. Otherwise, the 'usual suspects', were seen: Meadow Brown (135), Gatekeeper (17), Ringlet (8), Small White (27), Large White (11), Peacock (4), Green-veined White (4), Small Skipper (6), Purple Hairstreak (2), Comma (2), Large Skipper (1), Brimstone (1), plus my first of the second generation Common Blues (8), making 16 species altogether.”

Tony Croft went to Whitecross Green Wood today, Monday, in search of Brown Hairstreak: “I saw this male (see photo below) a short way along the ride from the car park. Also saw Purple Hairstreak, Marbled White, Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Comma, Speckled Wood, Brimstone, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Common Blue, Small Copper, Brown Argus and White Admiral.”

Monday 1^st August - Dave Wilton was successful this morning despite the mainly overcast conditions. “An hour at Span Green produced one Brown Hairstreak on bramble on a SE-facing field-side hedgerow. No butterflies of any description were noted in the many Ash trees along the track but some did have plenty of other insect activity going on so there is presumably plenty of honeydew available. Other active species here were Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Small Copper, Red Admiral, Peacock, Comma, Marbled White, Meadow Brown & Gatekeeper. Several Cinnabar caterpillars were noted on ragwort. Half an hour at Rushbeds Wood produced one more Brown Hairstreak on bramble. No Ash tree activity was noted here, either, but other species present included Large Skipper, Speckled Wood and Ringlet. A single Yellow Shell was disturbed from the grass. I then went on to do a transect at Finemere Wood. Nothing unexpected was found, with seventeen species on transect, including Brimstone, Small White, Brown Argus, White Admiral and one more off transect (Common Blue). The meadow just before the wood entrance produced several moths, including Shaded Broad-bar (17) and Common Carpet (3). Gatekeepers (168 recorded altogether) were everywhere, outnumbering everything else. Marbled White (7) and White Admiral (1) seem to be fading fast, but there was the usual increase in Peacock (12) although these will presumably disappear into hibernation in the next week or two. Back home in Westcott a Red Admiral on the buddleia in our garden plus five Peacocks, a Comma and a Large White.”

1^st August - David Gantzel sent the following butterfly and moth sightings:

Friday July 22 Aston Clinton Ragpits. Chalkhill Blue - small number. Cloudy.

Wednesday July 27 and Thursday July 28 Old lady moth, Hazlemere, in garden.

Sunday July 31. Wendover Wood: On the infamous buddleia bush: one Silver-washed Fritillary, one Red Admiral, one Large Skipper, one Peacock, several Gatekeepers. Nearby Marbled White (not many), Meadow Brown, three Commas.

Tim Watts recorded 1 Painted Lady on 30/07/05 at the Calvert BBOWT reserve.

Tom Dunbar and Win had hoped for better weather today, 30^th July, with the prospect of showers and sunny intervals: “The showers certainly proved heavy at Wendover Hale but we were very pleased to see 8 Silver Washed Fritillary. The rain unfortunately curtailed our visit. The rest of the day was devoted to attempting to achieve our first sighting of Brown Hairstreak. Several sites were visited in a mix of weathers. Laplands Farm and the associated weather looked promising but nothing showed. Persistence finally paid off at a Piddington site. Having waited a good half hour for the rain to clear, and 2 Purple Hairstreaks giving a false alarm atop the ash in view, we were finally rewarded with a pristine female Brown Hairstreak during a short sunny spell. We saw very few Peacocks in the last 2 days. Is this being repeated elsewhere? How have Small Tortoiseshells fared?”

29^th July - Dennis Dell went to Wendover Woods today: “There were 6 Silver-washed Fritillary on ' that Buddleia' in Wendover Woods today, including two females. The weather was mediocre.”

On his way home from work on Friday 29^th July Dave Wilton called briefly at Bernwood Meadows. “I had a look at the hedgerows of the narrow meadow adjacent to the road, north of the car-park. Here I found three active Brown Hairstreaks, two in ash trees and one on the blackthorn. Other species present included Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Peacock, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Ringlet and Gatekeeper.”

Friday 29^th July 2005

David Redhead’s transects of the M40 Compensation Area & Shabbington Wood on 26^th July produced 180 (16 species) and 152 (13 species) butterflies respectively - with the total species count being 17. “The most numerous species for the day was Gatekeeper at 110. The numbers for all species seen was as follows with, in brackets, the M40 Compensation Area first and the Shabbington Wood figure second: Gatekeeper 110 (65/45), Ringlet 66 (17/49), Small/Essex Skipper 50 (37/13), Meadow Brown 33 (14/19), Green-veined White 17 (8/9), Marbled White 15 (14/1), Small White 11 (6/5), Large Skipper 9 (4/5), Large White 6 (5/1), Peacock 5 (4/1), Speckled Wood 4 (2/2), Small Copper 1 (1/0), Painted Lady 1 (1/0), Common Blue 1 (1/0), Red Admiral 1 (1/0), Purple Hairstreak 1 (0/1), White Admiral 1 (0/1). All of these ratios are as expected with the exception of Meadow Brown which I am surprised was not more plentiful in the Compensation Area. Of those identified, the Small to Essex Skipper ratios were interesting with Essex twice as plentiful in the Compensation Area but numbers equal in Shabbington Wood. At last I was able to add the Painted Lady to my 2005 list but I had to wait until my return home to record a Comma in the garden and Small Tortoiseshell was a total absentee for the day. Amongst the day flying moths Shaded Broad-bar were plentiful in the Compensation Area but were not seen in Shabbington Wood. Six-spot Burnet were seen in both and a very faded Narrow-bordered Five Spot was seen in the Compensation Area. Four Sitochroa palealis micro moths were seen in Shabbington Wood and surprisingly, owing to the lack there of the larval foodplant (wild carrot), one was also seen in the Compensation Area.”

Wednesday 27^th July 2005

Wednesday 27^th – Dennis Dell, Species Champion for Purple Emperor comments: “Last sightings are just as interesting to note as first sightings and we are coming to the end of the flight season for a few interesting species. In Finemere Wood yesterday (intermittent sunshine, no wind, 18 to 20 degrees) from 11.30 to 13.30, single specimens of a Purple Emperor, Marbled White, and a White Admiral were seen. Other species seen were: large numbers of Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns, Small and Green-veined Whites, and Small Skippers; Purple Hairstreaks, Speckled Wood, Ringlets (a few), Large White, Comma, Peacocks and Small Tortoiseshells. At the top end of Greatsea wood, where we had seen several White Letter Hairstreaks on July 3rd, one was seen again on the very tall spindly Elm that seems to have escaped the disease so far. The Purple Emperor was seen gliding around and settling on the Oaks just before the turning circle in Finemere. Please keep sending in your sightings.”

26^th July - Tony and Josie Croft went to Aston Rowant this afternoon: “Although cloudy the temperature was reasonable particularly at the bottom of the hill. We saw several dozen Chalkhill Blues and Gatekeepers feeding on the marjoram and scabious. We also saw Marbled White, Large White, Small White, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Peacock, Small Skipper and my special favourite a single Silver-spotted Skipper. I managed the attached not too brilliant photo (see below), but it was quite active. The other day up there I saw a Purple Hairstreak in one of the oaks near the car park.”

26/07/05 - Nick Bowles sent in these sightings for his garden, which is just a short distance outside the UTB border in Tring: “I find it hard to understand remarks about this summer being poor for butterflies; at 9.45 this am in my garden: 2 Small/Essex Skippers, 2 Large White, 6 Small White, 2 Green-veined White, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Meadow Brown, 18 Gatekeeper, 1 Ringlet and a little later I saw a Brimstone drift through. My garden is 12x8m, hardly a large space. I decided to do the count when I noticed stuff beginning to fly on a lacklustre morning and stood in the centre slowly turning around. I could well have missed settled butterflies but secretly suspect I counted 1 Small White twice as it flew across the garden during my count. With such numbers in a tiny space I reckon it’s a fair summer!”

On Sunday 24th July David Redhead led the Wheatley Society on a butterfly walk in Bernwood Forest: ”I left home in pouring rain at 1.30pm and arrived at the Oakley Wood car park in drizzle, more in hope than expectation. Six members of the Wheatley Society were donning wet weather gear when I arrived, so off we set. In the first ride I explained what they should have been seeing. By the second ride the rain had stopped and the sun was attempting to break through and Ringlets & Meadow Browns made appearances, much to my relief. By Bernwood Meadows some blue sky was visible and a bit of real sunshine occurred - Large Skipper, Gatekeeper, Large White, Small White and Marbled White were added to the list. At the Yorks Wood intersection Small & Essex Skipper brought the species total to 9. By Piccadilly they were telling me what they were seeing which was extremely gratifying. In kicking through the grass in the hope of finding a Common Blue, I managed to put up four specimens of a nationally scarce micro-moth, Sitochroa palealis (photo and details to appear soon on the Moth Sightings web page). By the time I got home there was some real sunshine and a quick dog walk to the nearby rough grassland gave me a nice fresh Common Blue to bring my day’s species count up to a respectable 10, considering the weather. Also informed by my better half that a Comma and Speckled Wood had graced the garden in my absence.”

David Redhead reports that the Holtspur Bottom Reserve Open Day on Saturday 23rd July was a great success for several reasons. “Firstly we had a good attendance from both Branch members and the public. Secondly the Reserve looked wonderful and was a testament to the hard work and enterprise shown in transforming it from abandoned pasture into wildflower meadows. Finally the butterflies put on a magnificent display. Altogether 20 species were seen on the Reserve - Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Large Skipper, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Purple Hairstreak, Small Copper, Small Blue, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Peacock, Comma, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown and Ringlet. In addition a Dark Green Fritillary & Red Admiral were seen on Holtspur Bank Local Nature Reserve. The three second brood Small Blues seen, including a mating pair were particularly pleasing as it was feared that the colony known to exist in the bottom of the valley had been lost owing to the work carried out by the owner of the land between the two reserves. The amount of Kidney Vetch to be found on our reserve now augurs well for its future in the valley. The Dark Green Fritillary was equally pleasing confirming the continuing presence of the small colony in the valley.

The day flying moths also put on a good show with Six-spot Burnet, Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet, Shaded Broad-bar, Silver-Y, Pyrausta Purpuralis, Treble-bar and Cinnabar (larvae only) all seen. The Six-spots included an interesting aberrant, the rare Six-Spot Burnet f. conjuncta Tutt with the spots being poorly defined and merged (see the Moth Sightings web page for more details). If you have not visited our Holtspur Bottom Reserve, which is immediately west of Beaconsfield, you have missed a treat (OS map ref SP 918 905).”

On 24^th July Dave Wilton nipped out to Lapland Farm late afternoon when the weather broke to look for Brown Hairstreak. “Nothing doing, unfortunately. I spent from 5pm until 6pm looking at the ash trees around the entrance to the meadows and only Purple Hairstreaks seemed to be active (three seen). Tom Dunbar joined me while I was there and stayed after I left, so maybe he had better luck.”

Apologies to Dave Hutchinson for this late posting, received 3^rd July: “I spent some time around Stepps Hill and the immediate area this morning (Sunday 3rd July). Many Marbled Whites, few Meadow Browns, Ringlets, couple of Large Skippers, many Small Skippers, one Essex (not that I could check them all), Small Heaths, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, at least 5 Dark Green Fritillaries and no Blues at all. Also spotted a number of Chimney Sweeper moths.

Saturday 23^rd July 2005

Dave Wilton wasn't expecting to go anywhere today, 23^rd, as the weather was so poor, but when it brightened up briefly this afternoon he decided to have a quick look at the disused railway cutting west of Westcott airfield. “There were plenty of butterflies active there, with in excess of 400 recorded from the following 16 species: Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Common Blue, Brown Argus, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Ringlet & Gatekeeper. Several Six-spot Burnet moths were also active and I disturbed at least 15 Shaded Broad-bars from the grass.”

This afternoon (23/7/05) David Ferguson was in Blue Close Wood, Seer Green (SU957922). He recorded 1 White Admiral, 5 Commas, 3 Peacocks, 1 Red Admiral.

22^nd July - Robin Dryden reports a quiet walk in Black Park on an overcast day. “Butterflies were thin on the ground, six Gatekeeper, two Meadow Brown, two Speckled Wood, one Small White and a very worn White Admiral pretending to be a Purple Emperor by dangling off and under willow leaves before showing itself clearly! Dragonflies were a male Southern Hawker in the wood and two male Broad-bodied Chasers and female Black-tailed Skimmer over the heather. Birds included the usual mixed species flock again in evidence in Strawberry wood, with close views of juvenile Great-spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch and Bullfinch. About ten of both Swift and House Martin over the wood. Seven Song Thrushes seen as well.”

David Redhead found Thursday 21st a very frustrating day: “Eleven ash trees, at five different sites, where Brown Hairstreak activity was seen in 2004 were visited with not one Brown Hairstreak being observed in spite of sightings of three singletons reported earlier in the week. I can only presume they have as yet only emerged in very low numbers. There were some compensations - my first Essex Skipper record for Otmoor Rifle Range, Purple Hairstreaks in about half the ash trees examined and six White Admirals in Whitecross Green Wood. The latter site was where I had the large compensation -an Emperor pursued by an Emperor. Having just lowered my binoculars from another unsuccessful examination of a set of ash trees a large butterfly fled past me pursued by an Emperor dragonfly. The butterfly stalled to change direction and fly over a small oak tree which allowed me to identify it as a male Purple Emperor. My final stop was the ash trees along the southern face of Bernwood Forest. These trees were totally sheltered from the rather annoying (for observing tree canopies) breeze and were in full sunshine. They were alive with butterflies - besides Purple Hairstreaks also to be seen in the tree canopy were Meadow Browns, Ringlets, Gatekeepers, Speckled Woods, Large Skippers and a Comma but once again no Brown Hairstreak. During the day 17 species were seen but worryingly no Small Tortoiseshell and only one Peacock.”

21/07/05 – Danny Howard had a walk up to Bladon Heath today, 21^st: “Very successful it was too .. with 2 Purple Hairstreaks sighted and a number of Silver-Washed Fritillaries including the very dark female form ab. Valezina!”

Also, on 19/7, Danny saw 2 Silver-washed Fritillaries and a White Admiral during a walk in Pinsley Woods (near Long Hanborough) Tuesday lunchtime, 19^th July, (plus the usual Commas, Whites, Speckled Woods, Skippers and Ringlets).

Wednesday 20^th July 2005

Wednesday 20 July Martin Raper sent this surprising news: “Probably due to the wind today, we have had a female Silver Washed Fritillary in the garden (Purley) for several hours. It was good to get some photos at such close range!”

19th July - Warburg Reserve, Bix – Paul Bowyer sent this report: “The warden showed Dennis Dell and myself 2 areas where Purple Emperors have been seen and which are good vantage points to visit in later years. He also showed us a lot of sallow trees situated along the lower ride of the reserve. 1 Purple Emperor was seen. Other species found were Comma, Red Admiral, Small White, Large White, Brimstone, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Marbled White, Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Gatekeeper, Speckled Wood and 5 Silver Washed Fritillaries. One of the fritillaries seemed to be a Valezina. Later Dennis and I stopped at Watlington Hill to see if the Silver Spotted Skipper was around yet. It wasn't, but we did see our first Chalkhill Blues.”

On Tuesday 19^th Mick & Wendy Campbell went to Sydlings Copse, an interesting and probably under-recorded BBOWT site: All the expected species were seen: Small Tortoiseshell, Gatekeeper, Small White, Ringlet, Small Skipper, Large White, Meadow Brown, Green-veined White, Comma, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Large Skipper, Purple Hairstreak, Essex Skipper, Red Admiral and Brimstone. The unexpected ones were Painted Lady (2 pristine), White Admiral (2 in very good condition) and finally Purple Emperor (1M and 1F.) The female was seen gliding slowly across the meadow near the woodland edge before flying strongly up and over an Oak where a male had been seen several times. On the way home they dropped into Asham Meads briefly and located one male Brown Hairstreak in an Ash tree near the car park. They watched it for about half an hour until it eventually flew up into a nearby Oak tree.

Dave Wilton decided to give Rushbeds one final search for Purple Emperor on 19^th July and after only five minutes the first one put in an appearance. Later on he headed north to the Lapland Farm meadows and it was about 30 yards short of the gate into the field that he glimpsed another Purple Emperor which landed on an ash tree. He watched it being blown around in the wind for the next ten minutes before it took to the air again and patrolled the area, crossing several times the small piece of sky that Dave could see. He then moved on to the railway bridge to have a look in the Ash trees and had a confirmed Brown Hairstreak sighting - a single example right at the top of an ash which flew briefly and which he then managed to find with the binoculars.

19/07/05 – David Redhead reports: “At last our garden buddleia has become active - at one stage today it was sporting 4 Comma, 2 Peacock, 1 Red Admiral and a fresh Holly Blue.”

On a visit to Wendover Woods with his family on Sunday 17th, Dave Maunder saw Silver washed fritillary (2), Red admiral (1), Comma (4), Large white (6), Green-veined whites (8), Brimstone (1), Marbled whites (12), Meadow browns (3), Ringlets (50+), Hedge browns (40+), Speckled woods (4), Large skippers (10), Small skipper (1), and Essex skipper (12). “The Silver washed fritillaries were both male, in pristine condition, and lovely to watch gliding through the glades near the picnic area.”

On Saturday 16th Derek and Cathy Brown visited Waterperry Wood. “Amongst dozens of Meadow Browns, Gatekeepers and Ringlets we also saw 6 White Admirals, 12 Purple Hairstreak, but none low down, 2 Red Admirals, 1 Peacock, 1 Small tort, 2 Green veined whites, several Large and Small whites, countless Small and Large skippers, 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Brimstone, and best of all 4 Purple Emperors. Two were males high up in the canopy but 2 females also came down low and one allowed a couple of quick pictures. In the afternoon Mick and Wendy Campbell showed us where the White-Letter Hairstreaks were - at least 6 were seen, see picture. In addition our first Painted Lady of the year also turned up.
On Sunday 17th we visited Lardon Chase and saw over 20 Chalkhill Blues but only 1 female. We also tried Decoy heath for the Grayling but without any luck.”

Monday 18^th July 2005

18^th July - David Redhead sent the following report: “This weekend I went in search of the Brown Hairstreak. I visited a number of sites where activity was seen in 2004. Saturday - Whitecross Green Wood. Sunday - Asham Meads, Widnell Lane and Bernwood Forest. Also had a look at three Purple Emperor male assembly areas in Bernwood. All this was to no avail with a zero count for both species. In between this I led a Butterfly for Beginners walk in Bernwood which produced a fresh Peacock and a couple of fresh Brimstone. Lots of Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Gatekeeper & Small Skipper and several Marbled White and Large Skipper. Problem was everything seen was so active giving instruction in the differences was difficult, especially the Whites which, as usual, refused to settle. White Admiral and Purple Hairstreak added a more exotic touch to the walk. During my travels through Berwnood a total of ten White Admirals were seen with the highest density noticeably being in the area which has been subject to the least clearance and thinning over the last few winters.”

Following a tip-off from David Redhead that the recent spell of warm weather might trigger an early emergence of Brown Hairstreak, Mick & Wendy Campbell decided to visit a site in Piddington today, Monday 18th. They chose a suitable Ash tree to peer into, close to where eggs had been located during the winter. After two false alarms (a Purple Hairstreak and then a Speckled Wood), they finally identified a male Brown Hairstreak. It flew briefly and then sat in the same location about half way up the Ash tree allowing plenty of time to study it through binoculars. It still hadn't moved again after about half an hour when they decided to move on to another location.

Dave Wilton called into Greenham Common on his way home from work this afternoon, 18^th July. “At Greenham Common I did a short 20-minute circular walk west from the control tower car park in the last of the sunshine and found 11 Grayling. Apart from the odd Gatekeeper, not much else was flying in the stiff breeze. By the time I'd crossed the road to enter the BBOWT reserve it had clouded over and nothing of note was found in the main north-south ride of Bowdown Wood, but a clearing in the Bomb Site produced a single female Silver-washed Fritillary which was more than happy to pose for my camera. I had a look at the area in the adjacent Baynes Reserve where I'd seen the Silver-washed last year (a clearing of sorts cut through the wood for electricity power lines) but it was completely overgrown with very tall bracken and impenetrable. None was seen, although I did find two White Admirals there. That same area has a good deal of sallow and I spent a while looking but there was no sign of Purple Emperor activity.”

Sunday 17^th July 2005

17/07/05 - Tom Dunbar sent in this report of his recent Purple Emperor surveys: “Wednesday and Friday last week, after work, I visited Hodgemoor Wood - no Purple Emperors to report. Saturday I went to Laplands Farm and Rushbeds Wood. No Purple Emperors to report. Silver Washed not seen either. I later went to Wendover Hale and saw 3 Silver Washed Fritillary but again no Purple Emperors. Today I visited two private woods in Bucks and mainly concentrated on sallow. Three female Purple Emperors spotted in the first wood, around or on foodplant; one positively egg-laying. No sightings of Purple Emperor in the second wood, but 6 White Admirals.”

Mick & Wendy Campbell decided to take a day off Purple Emperor surveys today, Sunday 17^th, and visited Penley Wood in Bucks to check for presence of Silver-washed Fritillary. They recorded a total of 17 species of butterfly, including a Purple Hairstreak (the first they had recorded it in this wood) and one male Silver-washed Fritillary. However, the most astonishing sighting was of a female Purple Emperor, firstly at low level (it settled only feet away) and it then flew up into good quality sallow trees and finally circled above them before flying off over the trees. Their other sightings of Purple Emperor during the week were as follows:

10/7 - Piddington Wood 2 males located in what appears to be an assembly area; Little Wood 5 seen from the public footpath.

11/7 – Rushbeds None seen; Piddington Wood 2 males seen; Stanton Gt Wood 2 seen.

12/7 - Holton Wood None seen.

13/7 - Piddington Wood 3 males seen (in territorial battles)

16/7 – Waterperry Wood 3 seen (2 females and probable third female, all flying around sallows). Other noteworthy butterflies were Silver-washed Fritillary (2), White Admiral (6), a single Painted Lady and White-letter Hairstreak (7 - on bramble and in Elm trees near the Drunkards corner area).

Pete Eeles briefly visited Greenham Common today, 16^th July, near the old observation tower and saw 23 Grayling (including 2 in the car park! See photo below), 5 Marbled White, 23 Small Skipper, 34 Gatekeeper, 12 Meadow Brown, 2 Small Heath.

15^th July - Dave Wilton visited Waterperry Wood late morning where he saw one Purple Emperor, slowly working its way south down the main ride at about half tree-top height. Then on to Piddington where he had good sightings of three Purple Emperor, mostly it was singletons or pairs doing battle, but he did see three in the sky at the same time at one point. Next was the footpath at the top of Little Wood which produced two singletons, one of them continuously circling the oak to the right of the main ride entrance and the other doing the same around a large ash a little to the left. Finally he went to a BBOWT reserve where he found a pristine Small Copper.
On 16^th July Dave went to Aston Clinton Ragpits which produced five Chalkhill Blue along with Large, Small and Essex Skippers, Large White, Green-veined White, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Ringlet & Gatekeeper. He then spent an hour in Wendover Woods watching for Silver-washed Fritillary and had eight or nine SWF sightings but couldn't be sure of any more than three different individuals. The afternoon was spent in Finemere and was surprised to find a Purple Emperor sitting on the public footpath quite some distance from the wood. The Elm tree along the track had its usual White-letter Hairstreak in situ and the wood itself produced all the usual suspects, including 7 White Admirals.

Friday 15^th July 2005

Friday 15^th - Robin Dryden was in Black Park again today and sent in the following sightings: “Butterflies included several Purple Hairstreaks including a female with open wings. (It’s amazing how many you can find by staring at the tops of oaks looking for Purple Emperors). Also seen were two Commas, two Speckled Woods, lots of Whites that did not stop to allow specific identification, one Large Skipper, one Holly Blue amongst the heather, a single, very tatty White Admiral, lots of Meadow Brown and even more abundant Gatekeeper. The mixed species flock of tits, treecreepers and nuthatches etcetera was again in evidence in the Langley Common corner of Black Park near Pinewood Studios. Again a splendid male Bullfinch was there as well. Otherwise the most conspicuous birds were a number of noisy Jays. Dragonflies were a very obliging female Southern Hawker and two distant Common Darters. The day's best sighting was the most obliging Common Shrew I have ever seen. I am used to occasional glimpses as they forage through the leaf litter but today I watched enthralled for several minutes as a Shrew found a grub in the leaves and devoured it hungrily. It then spent a short while dragging some leaves towards a tree trunk.”

Martin & Dee Raper went to Decoy Heath today, 14^th July, to look for Silver Studded Blues. They didn’t find any at all, but did find one fresh Grayling.

Dave Wilton visited several woods in Bucks today, 14^th, looking for Purple Emperor. Although he didn’t find any Purple Emperor, the first two private woods (visited by arrangement with the owner) produced Small Skipper, Large White, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Gatekeeper, Essex Skipper, Purple Hairstreak, Comma, Large Skipper, Small White, Green-veined White and Speckled Wood. He then moved on to Chinkwell Wood and spent 50 minutes wandering around inside. Lots of butterflies (including 10 Comma) but nothing that he hadn't already seen apart from a single White Admiral. Final port of call was Rushbeds, 20 minutes on the railway bridge by the BBOWT car park produced no PE sightings and none was forthcoming inside the wood either. Two White Admirals here, otherwise just more of the same.

14th July Paul Bowyer went for a very brief visit to Church Wood Hedgerley to look for White Admiral. He saw only one. Other species seen were, Meadow Brown, Large White, Small White and Red Admiral.

Tony Croft’s trip to Aston Rowant this afternoon, 14^th, revealed 20 Chalkhill Blue. Among the other species seen were a good number of Small Heath and a male Brimstone.

Wednesday 13^th July 2005

Yesterday, 12^th, Peter Bugg reported a surprising 12 to15 Silver-washed Fritillary (male and female) in a private wood near Beckley. In previous years Peter has only seen the odd one or two in this wood.

12^th July - The following butterflies were seen in Aylesbury last week by Dave Maunder:- Peacock larvae (2 - fully grown), Red admiral (1), Commas (12), Small Tortoiseshells (21), Large whites (4), Small whites (30+), Green-veined whites (3), Meadow browns (45+), Ringlets (20+), Hedge browns (18), Marbled whites (13), Large skippers (2), Small skippers (25+), Essex skipper (1 - 1st of year on 10th), Holly blues (4 - 1st of 2nd brood on 10th), and Common blue (1 female on 10th - a late worn 1st brood).

Juliet and Alan Gudge reported their first sighting this year of Silver-washed Fritillary in Hatchet Wood: “Yesterday, 11^th, Juliet saw one male and similarly again today, 12^th. There were also possible sightings a few days back but not clearly enough to be sure.”

12^th July - Martin & Dee Raper returned from Silchester Common today to find 2 White Letter Hairstreaks in their garden in Purley, Berks.

Robin Dryden was in Black Park again today, Tuesday 12^th: Butterflies were very good, including another probable Purple Emperor sighting (resting high in oak tree in same area as before but not a good enough view to be 100%), 15+ White Admirals, 6 Gatekeepers, many Meadow Brown, 2 Speckled Wood, several Large Whites and six Purple Hairstreaks at three places in the woods, including one resting in a bramble patch, not nectaring. I was unable to relocate the Crossbill flock in the larches today but had excellent views of a number of species with their young. These included Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Green and GS Woodpecker, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest and Bullfinch. Dragonflies included two Southern Hawkers, a Common Darter and a probable Downy Emerald.”

12^th July - David Ferguson reports: “Wendover Woods this morning was a bit amazing. 2 Purple Emperors and 5 Silver-washed Fritillaries scattered between the Hale entrance and the top car park. One Emperor was feeding on the track that leads from the top car park to the bottom of the valley about 250m from the top car park. The second was seen briefly flying low along the track c150m in from the Hale entrance (before the cross-roads). The buddleia has two spikes in flower. Another week should see it in full flower. Only a Gatekeeper was feeding on it.”

Dave Wilton found a Bl@ck Hairstreak this morning, 12^th July, in a private wood in mid-Bucks.

Monday 11^th July 2005

Tony Croft went to Butler's Hangings today, 11^th July, to carry out a BBOWT butterfly survey and amongst the 96 Meadow Brown, 109 Marbled White, 8 Gatekeeper, 17 Ringlet, 17 Small Skipper, 2 Large Skipper, 9 Large White and 1 Small White were 5 Chalkhill Blue.

Paul Bowyer went to the Warburg reserve on Saturday 9th to look for Purple Emperor: “I didn't see any but the following species were identified:- Ringlet, Marbled White, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Purple Hairstreak, Silver Washed Fritillary, Common Blue, Large White, Brimstone, Comma and a Silver-Y moth.

On Sunday 10^th Paul went to Ivinghoe and Stepps Hill where he saw numerous Small Heaths and 6+ Dark Green Fritillaries. Other species identified were Ringlet, Marbled White, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Large White, Small White, Common Blue, Cinnabar moth and the Chimney Sweeper.

David & Wendy Redhead visited Whitecross Green Wood and then Slade Camp/Brasenose Woods on Sunday 10^th. No Black Hairstreaks seen, but White Admirals at both sites were the highlight. Only one Purple Hairstreak seen at WXGW but ten at Brasenose Woods – two were low down, one nectaring on bramble flowers. Otherwise the usual suspects at both sites: Ringlet, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper (no Essex identified), Gatekeeper & Comma. Large White at WXGW only. Green-veined White, Small White and Common Blue (one tatty one) at Brasenose only. Also had a Speckled Wood by the river first thing this morning and a Red Admiral in the garden whilst cutting the grass. Total 15 species.

On 10^th July Tom Dunbar visited the Wendover Hale section of Wendover Woods. Good numbers of Comma but no Silver-washed Fritillary seen, despite looking in the likeliest areas. On his way home he dipped into Grangelands where there was very little action as it was late in the day 5.15 - 5.45. He had hoped for Chalkhill Blue – none seen, but he will visit again in the week.

Nick Bowles visited Blackwood and Northill/Pavis Wood on Saturday afternoon when the sun appeared to search for Purple Emperor. Blackwood (in Bucks) is considerably smaller and almost exclusively Beech with some peripheral oaks and ash. No sign of any sallow or of Purple Emperor in 30 minutes of observation of the highest point. Pavis Wood on the Bucks/Herts border is larger with more mixed tree species and definitely that includes some sallow (not much) but even after an hour spent here and there, inside the wood and 30 minutes outside, no Purple Emperor were seen.

Then, on Sunday 10^th, Nick decided to use the good weather to search for the first Chalkhill Blue and spent the day combing the Chiltern slopes from Ivinghoe to Grangelands. No Chalkhill, but he did see some exciting things: 4 Dark Green Frits on Ivinghoe where the numbers of Small Heath were very encouraging. White Letter Hairstreak (just over the border in Herts), 4 at least, probably 5 Silver-washed Fritillary in Wendover Woods, but no Purple Hairstreak or Purple Emperors. Similarly missed Brown Argus and Small Blue, but his total for the day was a very respectable 20 species.

Saturday 9^th July 2005

9/7 - Dennis Dell led a highly successful Purple Emperor Field Trip in Bernwood Forest today, 9^th July, with 20 people attending, several of whom came from the north and/or had never yet seen Iris. Click here for Dennis’s full report.

Wendy & Mick Campbell and Tim Watts surveyed neighbouring Waterperry Wood today, 9^th July, as part of the Purple Emperor Weekend. They also enjoyed great success after the somewhat overcast skies in the morning cleared to warm sunshine. They started at the southerly end of the wood where their first two sightings were only brief glimpses as the Purple Emperors flew out across the trees. However the third sighting about half way along the main ride was of a grounded male, presumably probing for salts from the track, which provided at least 5 minutes of close up views. Two further sightings were made further down the track, again of the adult flying across the trees, making a total of 5 for the day. Other noteworthy species included 10 White Admiral, a single male Silver-washed Fritillary and 5 White-letter Hairstreaks on bramble in Smith’s Lane. A superb day!

9^th July - David Ferguson’s sightings today included a Purple Emperor at Whitecross Green Wood by the car park and 2 Silver-washed Fritillaries at Waterperry Wood by the main ride.

Friday 8^th July 2005

Allen Beechey was in Bernwood today, 8^th July: “I spent over 5 hours looking around Bernwood today in search of Iris. Arriving at 10:40am, I didn't have long to wait. At 10:45 I had my first sighting, a male flying up the main ride, past the car park. Whilst watching this individual, a lady called out to me and pointed to a rather large butterfly happily perched on her arm... Needless to say my eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when I saw that the butterfly in question, was a Purple Emperor. The woman had picked it up off her car and it was probing her hand for salts, completely oblivious to the fact that it was now being closely regarded! I managed to get a few shots (about 30!!) before the lady decided she had to go. At which point, she pushed (!!!) the butterfly off her hand, on to mine and for the next 10 minutes I set about learning to take pictures with my left hand, whilst the iris fed on the sweat on my right. Finally, having sated himself, he flew off onto a nearby Hazel. This individual, as you can see from the photos, can be identified by the fact that the tip of his left-hand antenna, is missing. I saw this individual several more times along with at least two others, all in the car park area. An Iris was also seen on the ground near the Oakley wood/ York Wood intersection at about 11:30 (at this time I was watching an Iris disappear off over a Hazel bush, near the car park entrance). My last sighting came at 12:56pm (a male decided to circle me 4 to 5 times deciding whether to beat me up or land on me!). I checked several other candidate assembly areas after this, but with no luck. Other species seen on my travels were:- White Admiral (5), Marbled White (20+), Meadow Brown (many), Ringlet (by far the most numerous), Speckled Wood (2), Comma (12), Red Admiral (3), Large White (2), Small White (1), Common Blue (1), Large Skipper (too many to count!), Small Skipper (many), Purple Hairstreak (40+).”

David & Wendy Redhead went to several sites today, 8^th July. “A quick visit to Whitecross Green car park to check out the last remaining Brown Hairstreak caterpillar (now an amazing 78 days old with less than three weeks before the first adults expected on the wing) gave me Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Gatekeeper, Large White, Marbled White and a White Admiral without any effort. A walk around Stanton Little Wood added Comma, Large & Small Skipper, Green-veined White, a single Purple Hairstreak and my first of the season Essex Skipper. Back home for lunch a Small Tortoiseshell, on the buddleia, and a tatty Speckled Wood were added to the list. Then in the afternoon a visit to Slade Camp & Brasenose Woods produced the real highlight of the day - three Bl@ck Hairstreaks. A Red Admiral brought the species total for the day up to 16. Beautifully fresh Commas were frequent in the woods with a total of ten and eight Purple Hairstreaks showed themselves including one low down nectaring on bramble flowers - typically it was off into the oak trees as soon as I got my camera out. The only day flying moths were a single Silver-Y and a couple of Yellow Shells.”

8^th July - Wendy & Mick Campbell visited 4 woods today in search of Purple Emperor. They started in Finemere where they saw two Purple Emperors at about 11.00 am. Other species seen were Purple Hairstreak (6), Red Admiral (2), White Admiral (2), Large Skippers, Meadow Browns, Ringlets, Speckled Wood, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma and Marbled White. They then went on to Rushbeds Wood where 3 White Admirals were seen, but no Purple Emperors. Next visit was to Bernwood where they had good views of 2 male Purple Emperors in a territorial battle and then a female being pursued by a male, between 2 and 3 pm in the Oakley car park area. Finally to Waterperry where good numbers of White Admiral were flying, but no Purple Emperors were found. Purple Hairstreak numbers in all woods seem to be increasing nicely.

Gillian Oldfield was carrying out the Waterperry transect on July 3^rd. About half way around, right in the interior of the wood, she saw a male Purple Emperor crawl around the base of an Ash tree and then settle on faeces at the foot of the tree. At this spot, there is a small clearing where the sun penetrates. She watched it for about 5 minutes and then she continued her transect; so who knows how long it stayed there!

David Ferguson recorded 2 White Admirals on 6^th July in Burnham Beeches by the Upper Pond at SU952848.

Tony Croft went to Bernwood on 6^th July: “It started off rather cloudy but there were dozens of Ringlet and Meadow Brown and a good number of Large Skipper flying. As the weather improved and the sun came out I saw 1 White Admiral, 4 fresh looking Comma, 7 Purple Hairstreak and a magnificent ground level view of a Purple Emperor in the car park. It appeared from on high, swooped to the ground where it stayed for a few seconds before soaring high up into the oak trees...wonderful.”

5^th July – Dave Maunder’s recent sightings from Aylesbury:- Red Admirals (7), Commas (6), Small Tortoiseshells (10), Small Whites (3), Meadow Browns (50+), Ringlets (40+), Hedge Browns (2), Marbled Whites (7), Large Skippers (17), Small Skippers (12), Common Blues (6).

Monday 4^th July 2005

4^th July - Melvyn Jones sent the following news about the Little Linford Wood Nature Reserve: “I have been a volunteer on the reserve for a number of years and this year I am carrying out a simple baseline Butterfly survey for the Wildlife Trust that manages the site. I saw over 10 White Admiral yesterday. Also last year I saw a few Wood White, but they have a very tenuous presence.”

3^rd July - Nick Bowles reported good numbers of Marbled White and said Small Heath continues to look good. “I suspect a new brood of Common Blue has started. By the afternoon there were reasonably good numbers of Gatekeeper (at College Lake where I also picked up first couple of Essex Skipper) - but I saw none all morning at three other sites. Also seen were Comma, Small Tort, Large Skipper and Red Admiral.

03/07 – Dennis Dell reports having a good day today. Along with Matthew Oates, Paul Bowyer and Tom Dunbar, six male Purple Emperor were seen in Finemere. “They were well spread throughout the wood: two at high points at the northern end (but far apart), one in Greatsea (high point), and the rest in the middle of the wood (but none along the central ride). One came down from the canopy and settled on blackthorn!! The weather in the afternoon was superb. Other notable butterflies seen were a single Bl@ck Hairstreak, several White-letter Hairstreaks and a Purple Hairstreak.”

3^rd July - This report was received from new contributor to the site, Trevor Lawson: “I thought the following might be of interest to any of your enthusiasts in the High Wycombe area. With 15 minutes to kill, I took a look around a couple of hectares of waste ground between High Wycombe's UCI cinema and the YMCA, Sunday 10.30am. Overcast, 18C. Hundreds of pyramidal orchids amongst a host of fine grasses, with lots of wild mignonette, weld, hairy St John's Wort, hemlock, other umbellifers and daisies. Large numbers (50+) of very fresh Marbled Whites. Several Cinnabar moths and Meadow Browns. Whitethroat cussing in briar rose. Great further potential for lepidoptera, I suspect.

Saturday 2^nd July 2005

David Redhead was in Whitecross Green Wood today, 2^nd July. A single Bl@ck Hairstreak was located, not at WXGW itself, but alongside the footpath immediately west of the Reserve. Also seen were many Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Marbled White and Large Skipper and 2 Wood Whites, 2 Small Skippers and a Common Blue. No White Admiral, Purple Hairstreak or Purple Emperor. Overcast, breezy but 19C.

Mick & Wendy Campbell went in search of Hairstreaks and Purple Emperor today. The weather was overcast for all but a short spell mid-day, although it was warm and humid in the woodland areas. They started in the Oakley car park of Bernwood Forest where they had two sightings of a Purple Emperor, single Purple Hairstreak, White Admiral (2) and Comma. Then on to the southern end of Waterperry where they recorded a single worn Bl@ck Hairstreak and 2 pristine White-letter Hairstreak all nectaring on bramble and a further 7 White Admirals, Another 2 White-letter Hairstreak were seen in Ash trees. Finally, in the main ride of the wood, another Purple Emperor was seen flying up the ride and then switching directions suddenly and disappearing over the tree tops.

On 2^nd July the following news was received from Peter Sparks who travelled up to the UTB area from Exmouth, Devon: “A trip to your area on Thursday 30th June produced the following

Finemere area Mid-afternoon - brief sightings of 2 Bl@ck Hairstreak, many Meadow Browns plus Gatekeeper, Large Skipper, Marbled White, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Barred Yellow moth and a fox by the railway line.

Finemere Wood Late afternoon - prolonged views of a Bl@ck Hairstreak by the entrance gate, more Meadow Browns and Ringlet, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Marbled White and Cinnabar and Middle-barred Minor moths.

On Wednesday 29th June Paul Bowyer visited The Gore in Burnham after work to see some summer skippers. He identified 2 Essex Skippers and 3 Small Skippers. There were also 10+ Meadow Browns and a Comma.

Dave Wilton sent this unusual report on 29^th June: “We've got a large Common Lime (Tilia) tree in our Westcott garden.  Limes are very well known for their attraction to aphids and for the destructive properties of the honeydew which literally drips off the tree during the summer months. However, we've yet to experience this "problem" this year so the aphids are presumably not yet there in any great numbers. However, the tree is currently in flower and, as usual when that happens, is swarming with bees, wasps, flies, hoverflies and beetles. I sat and watched the activity this evening for about half an hour, after 6pm with the sun out, because I'd seen a Speckled Wood floating around the lower limbs. Scanning the higher branches of the tree with binoculars I found a Red Admiral and a Five-Spot Burnet moth also feeding from the flowers. Then I was totally amazed to see a White Admiral appear and do the same thing!! We've never ever knowingly had a White Admiral in the garden and, while there are plenty of trees in the neighbourhood, the closest wood (not a known WA site) is a mile away. I've never noticed any butterfly in the Lime before. Very strange!”

Wednesday 29^th June 2005

29^th June - Robin Dryden went for a stroll around the north end of Black Park today. “Butterflies were most notable, with abundant Meadow Brown, several Large Skipper, Comma, Red Admiral and Small White as well. White Admirals are abundant this year, far more than last year. The first Purple Hairstreaks were showing yesterday. However, the undoubted highlight was my first ever Purple Emperor. A male, feeding on salts on the path between Pinewood Studios and Five Points. The flight was very different from White Admiral, with much longer glides. It also looked larger with a different wing shape. I watched it for the next five minutes, down to about two metres distance and saw the dazzling purple sheen, orange circles and beautiful under-wing. It then flew off into the wood.”

29/6 - Dennis Dell sent in the following report for Aylesbury Golf Course and bank of the river Thame to Eythrope Park: “Going to a place like this regularly is a good way to monitor the population of a particular species like the Marbled White: its first appearance, gradual increase in numbers, peak times and eventual decline. Seen today were Marbled White (28), Meadow Brown (87), Ringlet (18), Red Admiral (4), Small tortoiseshell (5), Speckled Wood (2), Gatekeeper (1), Comma (2), Small Skipper (2), Large White (1), Small White (2). All the Marbled Whites were seen on the golf course.”

29^th June - Dave Wilton managed to fit in an overdue transect at Finemere: “419 butterflies of 17 species seemed like quite a respectable total (Purple Hairstreak being the only off-transect species) and the highlights included 20 White Admirals, a Clouded Yellow and a Small Skipper. Three Bl@ck Hairstreaks were amongst the total.”

Tony Croft went to Whitecross Green Wood this afternoon, 28^th, and saw the following. Marbled White, Meadow Brown and Large Skipper, all 50+. White Admiral 6; Bl@ck Hairstreak 4; Small Skipper 3; Red Admiral 3; Ringlet 3; Wood White 2. Also seen was a Blood Vein moth.

28/6 – Dave Wilton and Mick Campbell went to 3 sites today and located 4 Bl@ck Hairstreak along with Large Skipper, Common Blue, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Gatekeeper, White Admiral, Speckled Wood, Brimstone, Comma, Red Admiral and Marbled White.

Monday 27^th - David Redhead reports: “I spent today with the Bl@ck Hairstreak as my target - starting at Gavray Drive Meadows (speculative site) near Bicester and working homewards via Sainthill Copse (small possibly extinct colony), Whitecross Green Wood (only a short stay), the Shabbington Wood transect (passes through a colony), Stanton Little Wood (historic colony with one seen a couple of years ago) & Shotover Plain (speculative site). I only picked up Bl@ck Hairstreaks at two of these sites but there were compensations - my first Purple Hairstreak and Small Skipper of the season and 14 fresh White Admirals (appears to be in for a good season). In ideal conditions, my total count of butterflies across these six sites of varying butterfly quality was about 380 - Meadow Brown ~130, Ringlet ~90, Large Skipper ~60, Marbled White ~50, White Admiral 14, Comma 8, Speckled Wood 7, Bl@ck Hairstreak 6, Red Admiral 4, Large White 3, Small Heath 3, Small Skipper 3, Common Blue 2, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Purple Hairstreak. A total of 15 species. A thoroughly enjoyable if tiring day.”

27/06/05 - Dave Maunder’s regular report of butterfly sightings in Aylesbury:- “Red Admirals (3), Small Tortoiseshells (3) - my first of summer brood on 22nd; Meadow Browns (26), Speckled Woods (3), Large Whites (2), Small Whites (2), Large Skippers (6), Small Skipper (1) - my 1st of year on 27th; Common Blues (20), Brown Argus (1).”

26^th June – Dennis Dell went to look for the 1st Purple Emperors in Finemere, but no luck! However, he did find three Bl@ck Hairstreaks close together, two on privet, where they stayed for some time. “Today, 27^th, again in search of the 1st PE with Mick Campbell, we went to Waterperry Wood; again no PEs! We were rewarded though with three of the Hairstreaks, all in different places: 2 Purples, 1 Bl@ck, and, interestingly, 5 White Letters! Three of them were along a magnificent stretch of quite mature Wych Elm hedgerow. It's a long time since I've seen such healthy looking Elm trees. We also saw all the usual things, including 24 White Admirals.”

Tuesday 28^th June 2005

28/6 - Allen Beechey was out in Bernwood again yesterday (27th June), looking for Iris: ”I spent several hours at the known assembly areas, with no luck. Whilst on my search, I did see quite a few other species including; Red Admiral, Comma, White Admiral (28), Large White, Common Blue, Large Skipper, Meadow Brown, Ringlet (numbers increasing), Marbled White & Bl@ck Hairstreak (1). In addition I saw two new species (for me); one fresh Gatekeeper and two Purple Hairstreaks. I'll be out again today so come on Iris!!”

Dennis Dell & Mick Campbell went to Waterperry Wood yesterday, 27^th, where they recorded 16 species of butterfly: Large Skipper 73; Meadow Brown 59; Ringlet 49; White Admiral 24; Marbled white 10; Red Admiral 5; White Letter Hairstreak 5 (possible new location, subject to confirmation); Speckled Wood 3; Comma 2; Purple Hairstreak 2; Large White 2; Small White 2 and one each of Common Blue; Peacock; Small tortoiseshell; Bl@ck Hairstreak.

Adrian Cadman went on Sunday afternoon 26th June to Leckhampstead Wood, Bucks, in the hope of finding Bl@ck Hairstreak - but even after the sun emerged didn't. “However I crossed paths with 2 lovely fresh White Admirals, 2 Wood Whites and a good number of Red Admirals, one of which had lost quite a lot of wing and nearly all colour. I also saw a White letter Hairstreak, but only 99% sure. In spite of waiting around for a good while no further sighting.”

Monday 27^th June 2005

27/6/05 – Dave Wilton reports: “Yesterday I managed to find a solitary Bl@ck Hairstreak in Chinkwell Wood. This afternoon I only had a couple of hours to spare so went to Lapland Farm where I found a further 3 Bl@ck Hairstreak. Other species included Large Skipper, Large White, Marbled White, Brown Argus, Holly Blue, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Meadow Brown, Ringlet and Speckled Wood, but I was surprised to see two male Gatekeepers amongst them - the warm weather over the last week must have brought them out early!”

Monday 27th June 2005 - Martin & Dee Raper, on their Moor Copse Transect today, were delighted to find two 'firsts' for the transect – Silver-washed Fritillary (1) and White Admiral (1) both on a patch of bramble flowers. Martin says “I have not seen White Admiral at Moor Copse for 15 to 20 years.”

Ched George visited the Bradenham woods area on Sunday 26th which produced: 2 Small Skipper, 2 Large Skipper, and numerous Ringlets, Marbled Whites and Meadow Browns. Also a few Speckled Wood, a single Common Blue and 2 Commas. Alas, no sign of Dark Green Fritillary.

26th June – Allen Beechey managed a good couple of hours at Bernwood this afternoon/evening, mainly to look at iris assembly areas. “Whilst walking around the wood my partner and I recorded the following; White Admiral (15), Speckled Wood (9), Red Admiral (1), Comma (3), Meadow Brown (23), Ringlet (10), Marbled White (1), Large Skipper (116) & Common Blue (2). One of the Commas that we spotted was the largest I have ever seen! Certainly in the region of 55-60mm wingspan, and much lighter in colour.” (Photo received)

Sunday 26^th June 2005

David Redhead chose the Brasenose Woods area to conduct his search for Bl@ck Hairstreak today. With limited time he achieved a remarkable 16 Bl@ck Hairstreak. Other species seen included White Admiral, 3 fresh Red Admirals (plus another at home) and several fresh Commas, Meadow Browns, Large Skippers and a Speckled Wood but surprisingly no Marbled Whites.

Paul Bowyer and Wendy & Mick Campbell spent Sunday afternoon visiting Bernwood and Waterperry Wood. They recorded 12 species of butterfly: Bl@ck Hairstreak (3), Red Admiral (12 – all fresh), White Admiral (23), Large Skipper (65+), Ringlet (18), Meadow Brown (31), Comma (6), Green-veined White, Common Blue (5), Speckled Wood (5), Marbled White (6), Purple Hairstreak (2). They also spent time checking some of the known Purple Emperor "assembly" points, without success. Moths included Cinnabar (7), 5-spot Burnet (3). Beautiful Demoiselle (lots!).

Today, 26^th, Dave Wilton spent most of the afternoon at Chinkwell Wood near Brill: ”Butterflies seen in the meadow along the southern side and within the wood itself included Large Skipper, Marbled White, Bl@ck Hairstreak, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown & Ringlet while moths included Cinnabar, 5-Spot Burnet and Light Emerald. I spent two 20-minute periods staring at the Purple Emperor "assembly" point at the south-western corner and the second session (4.30-4.50pm in sunshine) produced three butterflies active in the tops of the Sycamore trees there. Unfortunately they all turned out to be Red Admirals! Seen on the thistles alongside the path from Brill village down to the wood were five new-brood Small Tortoiseshells.”

Dennis Dell and Mick Campbell spent 21^st & 22^nd June searching for Bl@ck Hairstreak in woods which form part of the Claydon Estate. Over the 2 days they recorded 14 Bl@ck Hairstreaks in four different locations.

26/6 – Tom Dunbar reports: “You may like to post a first sighting of Silver Studded Blue by Win and I near Sandhurst, Berks today 26th June. It was hard work!”

News received today from Alan & Juliet Gudge that they saw a Clouded Yellow on Wednesday 22^nd June at Butler’s Hangings.

Saturday 25^th June 2005

24/06/05 - Kerry Taylor reports: “I went to Blue Lagoon nature reserve on Thursday 23 June. It was baking hot but before I wilted and had to retire to the comfort of my air conditioned car I noted Speckled Wood, Marbled White (lots), Common Blue, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Heath, Small Blue (only 2 or 3 left), and my first two Small Skippers of the year.”

24/06/05 - On Thursday 23rd June Paul Bowyer went to Ascott House near Wing to verify sightings of Small Blues - these turned out to be Chimney Sweeper moths. Also present were Meadow Brown (100+), Red Admiral (2), Large Skipper (3) and a Small White.

Thursday 23^rd June 2005

Dennis Dell walked through Aylesbury Golf Course today, 23^rd June, and saw Meadow Brown (93), Large Skipper (14), Ringlet (6), Common Blue (4), Marbled White (3), Speckled Wood (3), Small Tortoiseshell (2), and one each of: Red Admiral, Small Skipper, and a worn Comma.

23/06/05 - David Gantzel sent in the following: “One Red Admiral and one Small Tortoiseshell at Bassetsbury Manor, High Wycombe on Monday June 20th. A walk around the fields near Hazlemere/Terriers on Thursday June 23rd proved very sparse. One Small Copper, four Speckled Wood, two Large Skippers and about a dozen Meadow Brown.”

23/06/05 – News from David & Wendy Redhead: “Just returned hot & sticky from M40 Compensation Area transect where I saw a fresh Small Tortoiseshell amongst the Meadow Browns, Marbled Whites, Large Skippers & Common Blues. Also a couple of fresh Commas. Back home a Comma was flying about the garden - Wendy says it’s been about for a few days now. Also seeing faded Red Admirals in quite a few places most recent 8 am this morning on the River Thames towpath whilst dog walking.”

On Thursday 23^rd June 2005 Martin & Dee Raper went to a tiny piece of chalk grassland on the Ridgeway, near Churn and recorded: Small Blue(5), Small Heath(2), Common Blue(5), Large Skipper(9) and a few Meadow Browns.

Dave Wilton visited Woodsides Meadow, Wendlebury on Wednesday 22^nd June. “I was bitten to death by horseflies here! Meadow Brown present in coachloads, otherwise just a handful of Large Skipper and single examples of Common Blue, Small White and Ringlet (my first of the year). Finally, a White-letter Hairstreak seen in a bit of scrubby elm. First of the year??”

22^nd June - Kerry Taylor went to Howe Park Wood, Milton Keynes and reports: “Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Speckled Wood and my first White Admiral of the year. It is also the first I have seen in Howe Park Wood.”

21st June - Allen Beechey popped out this afternoon to re-frequent himself with Bernwood forest, before the imminent Purple Emperor season: “I walked through Oakley Wood and York Wood looking for, but not seeing many butterflies. All species seem to be very low in abundance! Species I did see were: Common Blue (4), Meadow Brown (1), Large Skipper (5), Marbled White (1 – see photo), Speckled Wood (3), and one very flighty, pristine White Admiral!”

Tuesday 21^st June - Dave Ferguson recorded a White Admiral at Strawberry Wood, Black Park this afternoon,

21/06/05 - Ched George reports: “Butlers Hangings produced only a few Meadow Browns, a Speckled Wood, Large Skippers and Common Blues on the 17^th, but numbers were up on Meadow Browns today (21^st) and additionally there was a single Small Blue, a male Brimstone and 6 Marbled Whites. I had several sightings of a Dark Green Fritillary, but it could easily have been the only one present. No Ringlets yet.”

20/06/05 Allen Beechey took a late afternoon stroll through Whitecross Green Wood and recorded:- Wood White (8), Marbled White (5), Speckled Wood (2), Meadow Brown (14), Large Skipper (23), Painted Lady (1). [Photo of Marbled White received].

Hilary Morton sent in this sighting on 20^th June: “Just seen my first Ringlet this year, at Hosehill, West Berkshire. I expect it has already been spotted elsewhere but just in case...”

Monday 20^th June 2005

20^th June - Stuart Hodges, Bl@ck Hairstreak Champion reports: “The Bl@ck Hairstreak flight period got off to a very slow start with the first seen on 11^th June in poor weather conditions. The next five days saw no improvement with only the occasional one or two seen, but with better weather on Fri 17th quite good numbers were seen at several sites so probably the majority have emerged. Sat 18^th and Sun 19^th saw extremely high temperatures and the butterfly was difficult to find unless you tried early or late, the hot spots for the butterfly were particularly disappointing probably because they were just that; i.e. the sunny sheltered hollows were that bit hotter than other more open sites - conclusion they, like us, once the temperature has reached 25 degrees and above, would rather be resting in the shade. Numbers will probably reach their peak in the next few days, if we get the weather promised. So far we have visited 21 sites with previous records + 2 sites where the habitat looks right for the butterfly but have no records of it having been seen, and the butterfly has been seen at 10 of the 21. Early indications are that numbers are down on last year, but we have now seen over 50 adults, the late Spring frosts may well have contributed to this drop from the extremely high numbers seen last year when we had no late frosts.”

Sunday 19^th, Paul Gee was in the Grendon area: “Very hot and sunny – recorded Large skipper x6; Speckled Wood x6, Meadow Brown x10+; Cinnabar moth x1.

19^th June – David Redhead carried out the Swyncombe Down transect this morning: “No Dingy Skippers or Green Hairstreaks. 3 Grizzled Skippers though and 119 Small Blues & 85 Small Heath (Common Blue a poor third at 17). Only 3 Large Skipper and 5 Meadow Brown, i.e. not seeing them in numbers to be expected -hopefully they are just late but as they have been out for some time it is a bit worrying.”

Sunday 19^th – Mick & Wendy Campbell were in the Finemere area and recorded 9 species of butterfly despite the very hot weather: Common Blue (18 – 5 of them feeding on farmyard slurry!), Meadow Brown (22+), Large Skipper 8, Small Heath (5), Small White, Large White, Red Admiral, Brimstone (male) and Speckled Wood.

19/06/05- Nick Bowles took an early morning stroll around the Pitstone area which produced a Dingy Skipper and a Green Hairstreak. Also Clouded Yellow and Red Admiral, which might suggest some immigration? Many Burnet companion and Nick’s first Latticed heath. “Still good numbers of Common Blue and Small Heath but Small Blue seems to be waning and no Brown Argus were identified. Is anyone seeing Large Skipper in the numbers we should be seeing them. Far fewer about than Meadow Brown - at least here in the Chilterns. In the afternoon, passing near to the village of Cheddington, and just in Bucks, along with Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown and large numbers of Burnet moth, hiding in semi shade was a Ringlet – first of the season. The only white was a transient Large White.”

Dave Ferguson visited Yoesden Bank on the morning of 18/6/05 and recorded 4 (3m, 1f) Adonis Blue and c15 Small Blue.

Saturday 18^th June 2005

Saturday 18^th June, in very hot, sunny weather, Mick & Wendy Campbell visited several locations. Fairly low numbers of butterflies were seen, as follows:
Chinkwell Wood – Holly Blue (rather tatty), Speckled Wood (12 – all fresh), Large Skipper (8+ all fresh), Meadow Brown (4), Green-veined White and a Peacock.

Rushbeds ‘tramway’ – Small White, Common Blue (2) and Brown Argus.

Kings Wood – Red Admiral, Comma (fresh) and Meadow Brown (11+)

2 Bl@ck Hairstreak were also seen during the day and moths included Straw Dot (2), Burnet Companion (8+), Cinnabar (3), Mother Shipton and Snout.

18^th June, Dave Wilton reports the following 9 butterfly species seen in and around Finemere: Large Skipper, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown and Small Heath along with moths Mother Shipton, Burnet Companion and Blood-vein.

18/06/05 – report received that 7 x Bl@ck Hairstreak were recorded in a UTB Field Trip meeting today.

Tuesday 14^th June 2005

14^th June - Dave Maunder reported the following butterflies seen in Aylesbury over the last week:- “Red Admirals (2), on 8th - the beginning of summer influx, perhaps - same date as last year that I recorded them arriving in Aylesbury! Also my first Large Skippers (2) were seen on the 9th; my first Meadow Brown on the 13th (always seem to emerge a little later in town!), Speckled Woods (5), Common Blues (6), Holly Blue (1), my first Brown Argus on 13th, Large Whites (2), Small Whites (15), and Green-veined Whites (2).”

14^th June - Richard Soulsby reports: “Seen today near Moulsford, Oxon: Marbled White, Meadow Brown and probable Adonis Blue.”

13^th June – Paul Gee visited a north Bucks site today where he says the wind was cold and gusty with only brief sunny spells. Sightings were: Brimstone x 1; Bl@ck H@irstreak x 1, Small Heath x 5; Common Blue x 10; Meadow Brown x 2; Speckled wood x 2.

11/06/05 Paul Bowyer was pleased to record Small Blue at Loudwater near High Wycombe today, plus a Large White.

11^th June - Nick Bowles recorded, 2 Grizzled Skipper and 2 Brown Argus to add to his first Meadow Browns and Large Skippers of the season. Later on, accompanied by Tom and Rosaleen Dunbar and Paul Gee, 3 Bl@ck H@irstreak were recordrd in a north Bucks location.

Saturday 11^th June – Dave Wilton reports the first Bl@ck H@irstreak of the season in a north Bucks location today.

Saturday 11^th June 2005

Ched George reported 8 male Adonis Blue at Yoesdon Bank today, 11^th June.

On 11/6/05 Tim & Colleen Watts went to Bernwood BBOWT meadows looking for the Forester moth (see report and photos on the Moth Sightings page). In Bernwood Forest he recorded what he believes to be a Longhorn beetle, Strangalia Maculata – see photo below. Other sightings on the day included: 1 Six-Spot Burnet moth (in flight), 1 Cinnabar, Small Copper, Large Skipper, Peacock, Green-veined White and 2 Grizzled Skippers (in the wood). At Asham Mead he saw 1 Meadow Brown, Comma, Brown Argus and 2 more Forester moths.

Allen Beechey sent these sightings in on 10^th June: “I’ve been trying to get out most evenings to different sites in my local area and have managed five new species (for me).

4/6/05 7 Barrows. I followed on after most of the herd to try to see a Mrsh Fritillary (I had missed seeing one whilst down at Bentley Wood in Hants). I managed to see 7 along with 5 Dingy Skipper, 2 Small Blue, 35 Brown Argus, 6 Common Blue, 24 Small Heath, 1 Red Admiral & 2 Small Copper. One of the Small Coppers was the biggest I've ever seen (wingspan of an inch or so). I managed to get a good photo of this individual, which turns out to be the caeruleopunctata form (see photo below)!

6/6/05 Lardon Chase & Lough Down (see report under 9^th June heading).

7/6/05 Lardon Chase again. Managed to see Adonis Blues on this occasion. 1 male and two females along with 22 Common Blues.

8/6/05 Whitecross Green Wood. 12 Wood White, 3 Large Skipper, 7 Common Blue, 8 Speckled Wood.”

Thursday 9th June, the following report was received from Paul Bowyer: “At 7 Barrows this afternoon I saw the following species: Small Heath (8), Small Copper (2), Brown Argus (5), Common Blue (6), Small Blue (1), Mrsh Fritillary (5), Cinnabar (2) and Burnet Companion (2).

At Lavell's Lake NR on Sunday 29th May, Brendan and Ruth McCartney saw a Common Blue - see photo below. (Apologies for the delay in posting this sighting.)

Thursday 9^th June 2005

Phil Rhodes visited Blue Lagoon Local Nature Reserve, Bletchley this afternoon, 9^th June. Despite cloudy conditions he located a Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Large Skipper and a Small Blue and several Burnet Companions.

Rob Devas visited Dancersend on 8/6/05 where it was sunny and warm with very little wind. He saw the following species: Small White (3), Large White (1), Brimstone (3), Common Blue (3) and Dingy Skipper (6). “No Duke of Burgundy unfortunately.”

On Tuesday afternoon, 7^th June, Francis Gomme visited a Small Blue & Duke site near Princes Risborough with some trepidation after Monday night's record-breaking temperature - coldest June night at RAF Benson since 1962 (-1C!). In sheltered spots out of the breeze it was quite warm but not much on the wing. However, Small Blue still in evidence plus Grizzled, Dingy, Common & Holly Blue, Brown Argus, Small Heath, Green-Veined, Large & Small Whites, Orange Tip and Speckled Wood, but no Dukes. Grizzled and Dingy in reasonable numbers at Grangelands today (Wednesday).

David Ferguson went to Yoesden Bank yesterday (8^th) and recorded: Adonis Blue (3 - 2m, 1f), Small Blue (13), Common Blue (35), Small Heath (6), Dingy Skipper (4), Brimstone (2), Large White (1), Small White (2) and these moths: Burnet Companion (15), Mother Shipton (3). At Grangelands he saw: Common Blue (42), Holly Blue (1), Green Hairstreak (1), Small Heath (17), Orange Tip (2), Brimstone (7), Small White (2), Dingy Skipper (1).

07/06/05 - A few butterflies seen by Dave Maunder recently around Aylesbury:- Comma (1), Speckled wood (2), Holly blue (1), Small copper (1), Common blues (2), Brimstone (1), Orange tips (6), Sm. Tortoiseshell (1 - very worn, on 25th), Large whites (3), Small whites (12), Green-veined whites (2).

Daniel Howard sent the following on 7^th June: “Just had a nice lunchtime walk in Pinsley Wood near Long Hanborough and saw dozens of male Longhorn moths (Nemophora degeerella) dancing in the glades. Numerous Speckled Woods and a few Common Blues too.”

Allen Beechey reports: “It has been a little while since I did any looking for butterflies in the Upper Thames region, so I went out, this evening, 6^th June, to Lough Down to look for Adonis Blues. I didn't see any, which wasn't a total surprise, as it was nearly 6pm and cloudy, but I did see a Common Blue, a couple of Small Heaths and one very fresh Meadow Brown. As Meadow Browns go, this one was typically uncooperative, but I did manage to get a photo, which I have enclosed.”

Tuesday 7^th June 2005

Monday 6^th June - Tony Croft made a quick visit to Whitecross Green Wood this afternoon. “It was quite cool and breezy but as well as 3 Wood Whites, 2 Green-veined and a Common Blue I saw my first Meadow Brown of the season.”

Sunday 5^th June 2005

Sunday 5^th June - Wendy & Mick Campbell went in search of an early Bl@ck Hairstreak in north Bucks and before long were joined by Dave Wilton, then Dennis Dell who had had the same idea. Much to their surprise they discovered a Bl@ck Hairstreak pupa (see photos below) just before the arrival of Tom Dunbar. They went on to record Orange Tip, Peacock, Holly Blue, Large White, Green-veined White, Brimstone, Common Blue, Speckled Wood and Comma as well as a number of moths and moth larvae, including 2 Figure of Eight caterpillars.

Saturday 4^th June 2005

UTB Field Trip to Lardon Chase on 4^th June was attended by a large group of people hoping to see the Adonis - report to follow shortly.

On Saturday afternoon 4^th June, Paul Huckle, Tim Watts and Mick & Wendy Campbell decided to look for Adonis Blue in a field near Hartslock. Although the weather was, once again, mostly cloudy with a strong wind blowing, they managed to locate 10 species of butterfly as follows: Common Blue (11), Large White, Brimstone, Adonis Blue (6 - male & female), Green Hairstreak (2 – very worn), Dingy Skipper, Peacock (2), Small Heath (10+), Brown Argus and their first pristine Large Skipper of the year. Also seen were Burnet Companion, Yellow Shell, Mother Shipton and a number of Banded Demoiselles.

4^th June - Keeping an eye on the horizon for a sunny spell that would last long enough to ensure he didn't get a soaking, Dave Wilton dashed out mid-afternoon to check the disused railway cutting on the west side of Westcott Airfield. “I got soaked anyway, sprinting through the very wet long grass from the A41 down to the cutting, but, once there, I did see more than 60 butterflies in half an hour of glorious sunshine: Grizzled Skipper (2), Dingy Skipper (10), Green-veined White (1), Green Hairstreak (3, rather battered, all being harassed by male Common Blues!), Common Blue (39) & Small Heath (9). These were all along the bottom of the cutting and it was my intention to check the banks on my return but it clouded over and the butterflies disappeared.”

3^rd June - Cathy Brown reports seeing her first Large Skipper of the season in Coley Park, Reading at lunchtime today along with 3x Common Blue, 1x Small Heath, 1x Large White and 1x Brown Argus.

Friday 3^rd June - Dave Wilton spent an hour at Finemere Wood in the sunshine this morning: “Second-brood Speckled Woods have started to appear (10 seen) and I noted a Grizzled Skipper, Brown Argus and Common Blue in the cleared area in the middle of the wood. Best of all, though, was a newly-emerged Large Skipper sunning itself in the turning circle. The scrubby field by the entrance hasn't produced anything of interest on the butterfly front yet this year but I did find a Hummingbird Hawk Moth there this morning.

Tom Dunbar sent in this report on Thursday 2nd June: “The view from 7 Barrows on Tuesday gave the impression there might be further local locations worth exploring for Mrsh Fritillary and Dukes. I returned to the Uffington area today, in company with Alan Wingrove, to explore the 'White Horse' surroundings. Weather conditions were poor but that aside no suitable habitats were found. Three butterflies showed themselves; 2 Small Heaths braved the cool temperatures on the lower slopes; I was very pleased to see a single Painted Lady battling bravely in the strong wind. The PL brings my total species count for the season to 26.”

David Gantzel decided to visit 7 Barrows on Tuesday May 31 although it was cloudy when he arrived: “The most numerous butterfly was Small Heath, but I managed to see four Mrsh Fritillaries, one of which walked onto my finger! One Small Heath was vainly trying to pair with a Brown Argus. It was quite funny to watch. There was one Red Admiral.”

Kerry Taylor went to Blue Lagoon, Bletchley on Mon 30 May and noted Grizzled Skipper 3, Dingy Skipper 4, Small Blue 20 plus, Common Blue 3 and 1 Brimstone. He then went to Broughton Grounds near Milton Keynes where he saw approx 20 Small Heath along with a Small Copper and Common Blue plus several Green-veined White, Orange Tip and Large White. So far no Brown Argus - this site was good for them last year.

Thursday 2^nd June 2005

Nick Bowles visited College Lake on 29th, Pitstone Quarry on the 30th and both Finemere Wood and Grendon area on 31^st: “No Grizzled Skipper at College Lake, Pitstone or Finemere but 3 in Grendon. Dingy Skipper was numerous at Pitstone, 3 at College Lake and just one in Finemere. No Dingy in Grendon but one in Hewins Drain (where I looked for Wall Brown - unsuccessfully). Also my first Hummingbird Hawk Moth at Pitstone and first Red Admiral at Finemere. Many Small Blue still flying at Pitstone and College Lake. Green Hairstreak evidently coming to an end with 2 struggling on at Pitstone and none seen at the other sites. Overall, numbers of Orange Tip and Green V White are still encouraging. Large White, Small White and Brimstone were only present in relatively small numbers. Peacock still active but Comma and Small Tortoiseshell have disappeared. Small Heath was present everywhere I went and looking good.”

Alan Wingrove sent in this report on Tuesday 31st May: “I visited a number of sites today with Tom Dunbar, Den Dell and Dave Wilton. First we visited 7 Barrows where we recorded 17 Mrsh Fritillaries, 3 Small Blues and 1 Duke of Burgundy. As DoB is rarely recorded here and the site is far from ideal it seems likely that the butterfly is breeding elsewhere in the vicinity. At the nearby Crog Hill where there is a long gentle escarpment we recorded 9 more Small Blues. Then in an adjacent area of scrub we located a breeding area for the Duke of Burgundy where 8 Dukes were recorded in overcast weather. Exceptional numbers of Dingy Skippers were also seen at this site with individual recorders covering different paths and all having totals in excess of 30. In the afternoon, with improving weather at the Goring Gap, Lardon Chase produced 4 Adonis Blues including a mated pair, 6 Small Blues and a Grizzled Skipper. Finally Hartslock produced a further 11 Adonis Blues, including three females, along with a further 2 Grizzled Skipper. Other notable species seen during the day were Green Hairstreak, Red Admiral and Clouded Yellow.” [See Adonis Blue photo above.]

May 31 – David Gantzel decided to visit 7 Barrows: “Rather cloudy when I arrived. Four Mrsh Fritillaries including one that decided to sit on my finger! Small Heath was the most numerous butterfly, one trying vainly to pair with a Brown Argus! One Red Admiral.”

Derek & Cathy Brown sent in the following addition to their sightings for 30^th May: “We had a Large White at home in Beenham and Green Hairstreak x1, Common Blue x8, Grizzled Skipper x2, and Dingy Skipper x4 at Decoy Heath. (Also managed Speckled Wood, Holly Blue, Orange Tip, Brimstone and 6x Small Pearls in Hampshire at Pamber - 19 species for the day!)”

Tom Dunbar sent in this report on 30^th May: “I visited nine sites over the last five days in weather conditions varying from poor to moderate. Highlights included two new species for the year namely Wood White and Wall Brown; the coup being one Grizzled Skipper at Ivinghoe (first sighting there since 1999) attended by 20 Duke of Burgundy. I hope to achieve 24 species in the coming 24 hours with Adonis Blue and Mrsh Fritillary, weather conditions allowing.”

30/5/05 Tim & Colleen Watts were delighted to see Mrsh Fritillary at the 7 Barrows reserve (4 seen) and then 10 Wood White at Whitecross Green Wood Oxon. Both species a 1st for them. [See Wood White photo above.]

Monday 30^th May 2005

Derek & Cathy Brown couldn't resist also following the herd to 7 Barrows and had a very good morning (30^th May) with the following species and numbers:- Mrsh Fritillary x16+ (conservative estimate), Duke of Burgundy x1, Small Blue x2, Common Blue x3, Brown Argus x8, Dingy Skipper x12, Red Admiral x1, Small White x1, Small Tortoiseshell x1, Small Heath x30, and Small Copper x3.

Addendum to Dave Wilton’s trip to 7 Barrows on 25^th May - three Duke of Burgundy also recorded – the first reported in this area for quite a few years.

30/05/05 - Here are some of David Ferguson’s sightings so far this season:
15/5/05: Hedgerley: 1 Green Hairstreak. This is my first sighting here. The site is the spoil heap from the widening of the M40 which has developed into a rather good wildflower meadow. I saw Brown Argus here last year.

23/5/05: Near Princes Risborough: 3 Duke of Burgundies, 1 Grizzled Skipper.

26/5/05: Hedgerley: Common Blue.

29/5/05: Lodge Hill: 1 Grizzled Skipper, 1 Brown Argus, 1 Small Copper, 50 Small Heaths, 1 Orange Tip, 1 Peacock, Small Whites, Green-veined Whites, Brimstones.

30/5/05: Penn Wood: very fresh Red Admiral - the only butterfly seen!

30/05/05 - Maureen Cross reports seeing the first Adonis Blue of the season at Lardon Chase on 28th May.

Dave Wilton went to Ardley Quarry on 29^th May and found Grizzled Skipper (5), Common Blue (6), Brown Argus (1) and Speckled Wood (1). “Not a vast collection of butterflies but at least the Grizzlies showed an increase in numbers over my last visit there a week or so ago. Woodsides Meadow near Wendlebury produced just two butterflies, a Large White and a Peacock, but the boredom was relieved by an abundance of Grass Rivulet moths (20 counted).”

This evening, 29^th May, Tim Watts found a Painted Lady on a stony farm track at Berryfields nr. Aylesbury. Tim says “Seems a bit of a coincidence that this is exact spot where I saw my 1st last year in first week of June. Track has an adjacent hedge but otherwise surrounded by open farmland.”

29^th May - Tom and Rosaleen Dunbar went to Ivinghoe: They had a slow start butterfly-wise at the car park end but eventually recorded 20+ Dukes and half a dozen Small Heaths altogether. Considering the poor weather conditions - cloudy with an occasional weak showing of the sun and temperature 17 to 19 deg. - a pretty good tally!

29/5 - Pete Eeles sent this news: “I followed those that were following the herd to see the Mrsh Frits at 7 Barrows. I visited at around 4pm and saw a single male – not bad given the cloudy conditions!”

On 29^th May Richard Soulsby decided to follow the herd and head for 7 Barrows: “I was pleasantly surprised to find 10 Mrsh Frits, despite indifferent weather. I would say they were almost as numerous as last time I visited, with a UTB field trip on 3/6/01. They were quite docile for photos, [see below & click for larger image]. Also plenty of Small Heath (11), Brown Argus (5) and Dingy Skipper (8), plus Peacock, and GVW. Also Burnet Companion, Cinnabar, Small Tort larval web, AND my first Red Admiral this year, at last! But no Small Blues, which were seen on the 2001 trip.”

26^th May, Allen Beechey reports: “Hasn't the weather been rubbish for the past two weeks! Still, as the sun finally put in an appearance, without the usual accompanying hurricane, I popped out to Swyncombe Down for an hour on Thursday. In that time I saw the following: Small Heath (57), Brown Argus (48!!!), Green Hairstreak (5), Brimstone (8), Green-veined White, Speckled Wood (in the woods below the Down), Dingy Skipper (4), Grizzled Skipper, Common Blue (1 male). I have to say that I've never seen so many Brown Argus in one place before! Practically every one was in mint condition and none stayed in one place for too long. I did manage to get one to cooperate long enough for me to take its photo above. I did manage to follow one female for a while and watched her lay several eggs. I'm off to Hampshire for the weekend and hope to get in some Pearl Bordered & Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary time!”

Friday 27^th May 2005

Richard Soulsby sent this report today (27th): “I saw a Clouded Yellow in Benson and Common Blue at Swyncombe, taking me to 19 species for the season, but I still haven't seen a Red Admiral!”

26^th May - Dave Wilton recorded Wall Brown at the Hewin’s Wood Drain: “I thought I'd grab a distant photo of the Wall Brown and then try and get closer, but it shot off and I didn't see it again! Here's a full list of my three hours there this morning, much of it in light drizzle: Grizzled Skipper (9), Dingy Skipper (21), Large White (2), Small White (2), Green-veined White (1), Orange-tip (2), Common Blue (1), Red Admiral (1), Peacock (2), Wall (1), Small Heath (5).

Moths included Mother Shipton (2), Cinnabar (2) and Treble Lines (1).”

Dave Wilton and Dennis Dell took a trip to 7 Barrows on 25^th May and were very pleased indeed to see 4 M Frit in attendance. Other species seen were: Dingy Skipper (12), Large White (1), Small White (1), Green-veined White (2), Orange-tip (2), Small Copper (2), Common Blue (1), Brown Argus (5), Small Tortoiseshell (1), Small Heath (8). We also went to the Watts Reserve south of Lambourn and saw Brimstone (13), Holly Blue (1), Common Blue (1), Small Blue (1), Peacock (1).

On 25^th May Nick Bowles shot off to the Pitstone Hill area after work and recorded Small Blue (about 30) Common Blue (6) and Brown Argus (1)

Dennis Dell carried out a transect of the new BBOWT site at Finemere Meadows on 23^rd May. He reports plenty of sunshine but, perhaps, a bit too breezy for many species. “I saw 10 Small Heaths, all determined to attempt flight against the breeze, but having to settle every few seconds. I was full of admiration for their determination!”

Gareth Knass reported this important sighting on 22^nd May: “Thought you might want to pass on to relevant contact that I had a Mrsh Frit at 7 Barrows this morning. I didn’t see any last year and don’t recall seeing any sightings on the UTB website for 2004. I only had one individual in 1 hour on the reserve. What is the current status in this part of Berks, is this the only colony until Wilts, if so it is presumably doomed here? I didn’t want to put out positive sighting onto the web site on the basis that if they are only present in low numbers they may be at risk to a collector, who may make an effort to visit with such news. If you think I am being too cautious (as this is obviously a well known site!), then feel free to put the sighting on the web site, and the attached photo [see photo at top of page] if you wish.”

[David Redhead, UTB Chairman, comments that this sighting will be forwarded to the website as the presence of MF at SB is well known. Please could all sightings of MF be reported to George Osmond. In June 2004, 3 individuals were seen at SB, but the sighting was not posted on the website.]

22/05/05 Derek Brown sent this update today: “Well we tried but the weather got the better of us. Cathy and I managed 9x Dingy Skipper, 4x Grizzled Skipper, 1x Peacock, 1x Green hairstreak, and 1x Small Heath, (new for me) at Decoy this morning. Later at Greenham we saw 2x Grizzled Skipper, 3x Dingy Skipper 2x Small Heath and 3x Small Coppers. One of the latter had very distinctive blue spots on the upper hindwing.[see photo above]. No sign of any blues unfortunately.”

22/05/05 - Expecting it to cloud over, Dave Wilton nipped out early to the Hewin's Wood Drain in search of a Wall but none was seen. Species recorded were Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Small Tortoiseshell, Small Heath and, happily, a single Brown Argus.

On 20/05/05 Tim Watts tried Dancers End again in the afternoon for his first ever Duke of Burgundy, but NO luck. In the sheltered glade behind fenced off area he saw 1 Green Hairstreak/ 1 Small Copper/2 Dingy Skipper.

20/05/05 Dave Wilton reports: “Whilst proceeding in an orderly fashion up the A34 on my way home from work this afternoon the sun came out so I diverted off route to Aston Upthorpe Downs. Having parked by the grain dryer I inspected the adjacent small sheltered field (mostly full of nettles) that lies between the two tracks. Here, besides a Small Tortoiseshell and several Brimstones, I managed to find what I thought was going to be species no.21 for my list - Brown Argus - but it turned out to be a female Common Blue! The wind was too strong for much activity elsewhere on the site although I did managed to locate a handful of Grizzled Skippers, including a mating pair. [see photo above].

Wednesday 18^th May 2005

Dave Wilton put in a good deal of effort today, 18^th May, and was rewarded with three more species for his list: “I started off at Swyncombe Down this morning where, despite the early sunshine, there always seemed to be a cloud right overhead! Nevertheless, three Small Blues (see photo below & click on it for larger image) showed themselves and were quite happy to pose for the camera. Other species included Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Small Copper & Small Heath. This afternoon I went to the BBOWT site at Ardley, Oxon and managed to track down some Grizzled Skippers there at last (three were seen). I then went to Howe Park Wood in Milton Keynes which was full of Whites but not Wood White, unfortunately! Final location for the day was the disused railway line west of Salden Wood where, thankfully, a lone Wood White was seen. Here I also managed to add Red Admiral to my list (at last!) and found single examples of Grizzled and Dingy Skipper as well.”

Richard Soulsby says that, spurred on by David's success on Sunday, he visited Swyncombe (non-transect) at lunchtime yesterday (17th), but with a chilly 11 degC, he saw only 14 butterflies (not 14 species!). However, he did see Brown Argus (1) and Small Blue (1) [both his first of the year], plus Green Hairstreak (3), Small Heath (4), Small White, Orange Tip & Holly Blue.

A Burnet Companion was seen in Whitecross Green Wood on Tuesday 17^th by David Redhead, during an unsuccessful attempt to see a Wood White. One was seen there yesterday (?) by Becky Woodell. Half a dozen Green-veined Whites seen today plus a female Orange Tip and a Speckled Wood, and 11 Brown Hairstreak caterpillars.

Dave Maunder went to Finemere on Sunday and recorded 10 butterfly species:- Red admiral(1), Peacock(1), Sm. Tortoiseshell(1), Brimstones(3), Orange tips(9), Green-veined whites(15+), Small whites (5), Large whites(4), Holly blues (3), and Speckled woods(4).

On Saturday 14th May Paul Bowyer visited the Lapland's Farm area: “It produced few butterflies but they included Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Holly Blue, Small Heath, Burnet Companion and Cinnabar moth.” Then on Sunday 15th May Paul went to Aston Upthorpe Downs where he saw 13 different species but not a lot of butterflies: Large White, Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Brimstone, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Duke of Burgundy, Green Hairstreak, Holly Blue and Speckled Wood.

Monday 16^th May 2005

Sunday 15^th May, Tim Watts spent several hours searching for the Wall Brown near the Calvert landfill site. His patience paid off and he managed to take this photograph of the Wall Brown (click on it for a larger image).

15^th May - Nick Bowles recorded Duke of Burgundy, Small Copper and Small Heath (all new species for him this year) and Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Brimstone, Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Holly Blue, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood all on transect at Coombe Hill, Wendover today. There were also DS SC HB etc among nine species on transect at Aston Clinton Ragpits but no DoB, GS or SH here.

Sunday 15^th May 2005

Tom Dunbar sent in this report for Sunday 15th May. “A visit to Wotton DRL today was made worthwhile with two new species for me this season, namely Red Admiral and Common Blue. Others of note included Dingy Skips x 30; Grizzled Skips x 12; Small Heath x 2. A visit to the Pitstone area this afternoon gave me a further 2 new species for the day, this time Small Blue x 2 and a singular Small Copper. Other notable sightings were Dingy Skips x 20 and Small Heath x6.”

Sunday 15^th David and Wendy Redhead recorded the following: “Wendy and I have just returned from a glorious time at Swyncombe Down this afternoon. 15 species seen - Small Heath 20, Brimstone 19, Orange Tip 10, Green Hairstreak 9, Dingy Skipper 6, Grizzled Skipper 5, Holly Blue 5, Green-veined White 4, Small Blue 2, Speckled Wood 2, Large White 1, Small Copper 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 1, Red Admiral 1. Plus the following moths - Green Carpet 4, Cinnabar 3, Common Heath 1. Also lots of micro-moths but not definite ids as yet.”

As the weather looked so settled today, 15^th May, Mick and Wendy Campbell decided to head south to visit Greenham Common, one of their favourite butterfly sites and Bowdown Wood. They recorded 15 species of butterfly: Grizzled Skipper (19), Dingy Skipper (25, including a mating pair), Small Copper (7), Green Hairstreak (21), Small Heath (2), Orange Tip, Large White (2), Brown Argus, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock (5), Green-veined White (7), Holly Blue (3), Brimstone, Comma and Small White. They were also extremely pleased to get a rare sighting of the Dartford Warbler.

Despite having been at work last night Dave Wilton couldn't let all that sunshine go to waste today, 15^th May:
“I decided to do a bit more Grizzled Skipper hunting, firstly at the Hewin's Wood Drain this morning where I found three and then at Yeosden Bank, Radnage this afternoon where I found none at all! The Drain brought me a new species in the shape of Small Heath (3), while other butterflies seen there included Dingy Skipper (7), Green Hairstreak (1) and Holly Blue (1). At Yeosden Bank the full list comprised Dingy Skipper (20, including a mating pair), Large White (1), Green-veined White (2), Brimstone (5), Orange-tip (4), Green Hairstreak (9), Holly Blue (1), Peacock (3), Small Tortoiseshell (1) and Small Heath (3), while moths included Cinnabar (1), Mother Shipton (1), Burnet Companion (12), Pyrausta aurata (1) and Pyrausta purpuralis (1).”

David Redhead sent this report in on 14^th May: “Nothing too exciting - just a couple of Red Admirals - one in Bernwood Meadows on 12/5 and another in Whitecross Green on 13/5. Failed totally in attempt to add Duke of Burgundy & Dingy Skipper to my list at Saturday morning field meeting at Dancersend – the sun obstinately refused to break through and the temperature never rose above 10C.”

14/5 - There was a cold wind blowing (temperature of 15 degrees) and very little blue sky on Saturday 14^th when Wendy & Mick Campbell decided to revisit the site near Whaddon Chase to see if any more Wood Whites had emerged. They recorded the following 8 species of butterfly: Wood White (2), Dingy Skipper, Orange Tip (3 – M&F), Holly Blue, Brimstone (2), Speckled Wood (3), Small Copper and Green-veined White (2). Moths included Mother Shipton, Burnet Companion, Cinnabar and Adela Reaumurella.

This report was received on 14/05/05 from Tony Towner: Butterfly monitoring at Hartslock (BBOWT) on 6^th May produced the following: Brimstone(3), Dingy Skipper(23), Green Hairstreak(3), Green Veined White(1), Grizzled Skipper(4), Holly Blue(2), Orange Tip(1), Small Heath(4) & Speckled Wood(2). The following day flying moths were also seen: Orange Tailed Clearwing(1), Silver Ground Carpet(1), Cinnabar(1), Small Purple Barred(3) & Mint Moth(2).

Friday 13^th May 2005

David Fuller reports on 13^th May: “Today was a bit breezy and very patchy sun but I decided to spend a bit of time in Homefield Wood, Marlow. The result was 10 species of butterfly: Orange Tip 5 males and 1 female, Holly Blue 1, Small White 1, Green-veined White 10, Speckled Wood 2, Peacock 2, Brimstone 2 males + 2 females, Dingy Skipper 2, Grizzled Skipper 1, Comma 1. Other wildlife interest: Bank Vole, Red-legged Partridge 2, Red Kite.

Friday 13^th was lucky for Cathy Brown who saw a Small Heath today at Coley Park in the centre of Reading.

13^th May - David Gantzel sent in the following observations today: “Holly Blue is having quite a good year in Hazlemere. Orange Tip Hazlemere, Hughenden May 7th and 12^th, Dingy Skipper Smalldean NR 13 May also Brimstone, Speckled Wood and Peacock present. Duke of Burgundy used to be present at Smalldean in small open glades. I had not been for some years and I found the areas had been opened up to allow fields of cowslips. The entrance board stated that Dukes were present. Today 13th May was a bit windy and no Dukes were seen. Are they still at this site and is it true they tend to emerge a little later in the month at Smalldean. If so I will try again!”

Peter Eeles paid a brief visit to Hartslock today, 13^th May, and saw 5 Dingy Skipper, 2 Small Copper, 3 Orange Tip and a Small White. He also found a large number (>20) of Orange-Tip eggs on Garlic Mustard.

13/5 - Mick and Wendy Campbell headed for Bernwood followed by Waterperry Wood today in the hope of seeing a Red Admiral. None was seen, but they still had a successful day with the following species being recorded, in spite of the strong, cool wind that was blowing: Orange Tip (2), Green-veined White (7), Speckled Wood (7), Brimstone (3), Large White (2), Comma (2), Holly Blue (1) and Peacock (3). On returning home, having walked several miles looking for Red Admiral, they found one sunning itself in their back garden!

13/5 – Dave Wilton has been out two or three times over the past few days looking, with some success, for Grizzled Skippers. “In order to get out of the strong easterly wind today (Friday) I chose to go to the disused railway cutting west of Westcott airfield and spent a very worthwhile couple of hours there: Dingy Skipper (25), Grizzled Skipper (22), Brimstone (2), Green-veined White (3), Large White (1), Orange-tip (3), Green Hairstreak (1), Peacock (1), Speckled Wood (2) and - surprise, surprise! - a newly-emerged male Common Blue. I had hoped for Small Heath as well, but only managed Common Heath (male & female) moths, Lesser Treble-bar (3) and Cinnabar (3).

Richard Soulsby recorded Dingy Skipper at Aston Upthorpe yesterday, 12^th May, plus Grizzled Skipper, Green Hairstreak and various others.

Wednesday 11^th Dennis Dell reports as follows: “Today was supposed to be the only decent day this week, according to the forecast! They got it wrong again - not more than about 13 degrees with a cool breeze. Nevertheless I decided to visit Dancer's End; met Robin Carr on his transect. The sun came out briefly and we eventually saw one, possibly two, Duke of Burgundy, not on Ant Hill, but in a more sheltered spot where the scrub was somewhat higher.”

11^th May David Fuller went to Watlington Hill on a poor weather day and managed to record Large White, Green Hairstreak and Dingy Skipper (new for the year). Then today at Romney Island: Small Tortoiseshell 3, Small White 2, Holly Blue 2, Orange Tip 11 (7 males + 4 females), 3 of the males spiralling together. Finally, in his garden he had Holly Blue 3 together, first time ever! Speckled Wood and Small White. His Orange Tip egg count is now 15.

On Sunday 8^th Dave Maunder saw a Dingy Skipper at Grangelands. The weather wasn't good with a strong n-west wind and intermittent sun. He also noted 5 Pyrausta purpuralis and 2 Pyrausta nigrata moths.

Monday 9^th May 2005

Sunday 8^th May - Richard Soulsby was walking his transect at Swyncombe Downs this morning and recorded the following (not all of them on transect): Small Heath (1), Small Copper (3), [both first of the year for me], Green Hairstreak (5), Grizzled Skipper (2), plus Peacock, Sp Wood, Green-veined Whites and Orange Tips. No Dingies there yet. Moths seen were: Pyrausta nigrata and Pyrausta aurata, Cinnabar, Adela reaumurella.

8/5 – Lodge Hill seemed a bad choice of sites to visit when Wendy & Mick Campbell first made their way towards it in cold and windy conditions. However, when the sun broke through the clouds it was reasonably warm and they headed for sheltered areas surrounded by trees. They recorded the following 9 species of butterfly: Grizzled Skipper (8), Holly Blue (2), Speckled Wood (2), Green Hairstreak (4), Green-veined White, Small White (2), Small Copper (6+ very fresh), Orange Tip and Brimstone.

Peter Eeles visited Greenham Common this morning, 8^th May, and saw 16 Green Hairstreak, just behind the old air traffic control tower. Also 2 Speckled Wood.

Saturday 7^th May 2005

Mick and Wendy Campbell headed north today in search of Dingy Skipper. They chose a site near Whaddon Chase which was sheltered from the strong winds and where the temperature was in excess of 20 degrees and recorded: Brimstone, Dingy Skipper (3), Orange Tip (6), Grizzled Skipper (4), Speckled Wood (2), Large White (2), Green-veined White, Holly Blue, Peacock and, surprisingly, their first Wood White of the season (see photo at the top of this page & click on it for a larger image). Moths seen included Burnet Companion and Cinnabar. On the way home they called into Rushbeds and were fortunate to see a Green Hairstreak by the railway bridge.

Mid-morning on 7^th May Derek Brown sent in this email: “Just saw a Red Admiral in the garden in Beenham. No pictures unfortunately but unmistakable. Finally I've caught up with 'her indoors'!”. Then later the same day: “Cathy and I popped into Greenham Common before lunch. We saw 4 butterflies - 2 Green Hairstreaks and one each of Small Copper and Dingy Skipper (see photos - don't often see the underside of a Dingy!) - three new species before lunchtime!!”

7th May - Tom Dunbar sent in this report: “Kerry Taylor kindly showed me around The Blue Lagoon, Milton Keynes this morning. We had some good sunny intervals and saw 5 Dingy Skippers, 6 Grizzled Skippers, 3 Orange Tips, 2 Holly Blues, 1 Speckled Wood. It will be interesting to see how many Skippers this impressive site will produce at the peak of the season. It is also a good site for dragonflies. In the afternoon I joined Paul Bowyer at Lodge Hill. In indifferent weather we managed 5 Grizzled Skippers and a lone Speckled Wood.”

Dave Wilton visited Grangelands yesterday afternoon (Thursday 5th May) and found the following active: Dingy Skipper (8), Grizzled Skipper (1), Brimstone (10), Green-veined White (1), Orange-tip (6), Green Hairstreak (1), Holly Blue (1) and Peacock (1). David says: “It was several degrees cooler in the Chilterns today but a single Duke of Burgundy showed itself at Dancersend and I disturbed a Small Copper from the grass on Coombe Hill. A brief stop at Aston Clinton Ragpits produced single examples of Dingy Skipper and Green Hairstreak.”

Thursday 5^th May 2005

2^nd May – Nick Bowles visited the Pitstone Hill area. He didn’t find any Grizzled Skippers but did locate 3 Dingy Skipper along with 9 Holly Blue and 5 Green Hairstreak. 11 species were seen altogether.

Dave Maunder managed to get his 12th species on 2^nd May when on a visit to Dancers End he saw a single Duke of Burgundy. Other butterflies seen were:- Peacock (5), Sm. Tortoiseshell (2), Brimstone (4), Orange Tip (4), Green-veined white (1). Meanwhile, back in Aylesbury, over a lovely warm sunny weekend Dave saw Peacocks (3) Sm. Tortoiseshells (9), Comma (1), Brimstones (2), Orange tips (male-8, female-2), Green-veined whites (5), Small whites (15+), Large whites (2), Speckled woods (7), and Holly blues (11).

May 2nd – Paul Bowyer and another UTB member went to Sands Bank in High Wycombe where the following species were seen: Holly Blue (1), Small Tortoiseshell (1), Peacock (3), Orange Tip (4), Large White (1), Green Hairstreak (3) and Dingy Skipper (6).

Mick & Wendy Campbell went to Aston Upthorpe on Monday 2^nd and recorded 9 species, including 2 Grizzled Skippers seen on the main bank and 2 Duke of Burgundy.

Wednesday 4^th May 2005

2/5 - David Fuller recorded seven butterfly species in his Maidenhead garden today: Brimstone male, Holly Blue 2, Peacock 2, Small White 3, Comma 1, Orange Tip male and female, Speckled Wood. He also found his first Orange Tip egg on Garlic Mustard. David says “There seem to be lots of Holly Blue butterflies this year as I have seen them in at least 7 new sites so far.”

Cathy and Derek Brown went to Decoy Heath again Monday morning (2^nd) and finally managed a couple of Grizzled Skippers there along with 3 x Green Hairstreaks and the usual suspects

30/04/05 - Kerry Taylor went to Blue Lagoon LNR near Bletchley on Saturday hoping for some skippers. Kerry says: “No skippers seen. however I did see a Green Hairstreak which is the first I have ever seen at this site. I also saw a couple of Holly Blue’s which I can add to the first to 23 list, as my previous sightings had been in Northants. Other butterflies noted were Orange Tip, Peacock, Small White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood and Brimstone.

Sunday 1^st May 2005

Tim Watts saw a Grizzled Skipper on 30^th April at the Calvert sailing lake on the north dry bank, near the railway line.

He also reports that on 1^st May Dingy Skippers were found by M.Hunt on the Calvert reserve.

1^st May Nick Bowles saw his first two Grizzled Skippers at Coombe Hill, one of which was a female laying an egg on Tormentil/Creeping Cinquefoil, and his first UK Green Hairstreaks. Relatively few of Green Hairstreaks & Grizzled Skippers compared with Orange Tip and Holly Blue. Also no Large White and, relative to Green-veined White, very few Small White.

Richard Soulsby added Green Hairstreak (4) and Grizzled Skipper (2) to his species count for the season, seen at Swyncombe (non-transect) today (1/5/05). All very fresh.

Tom Dunbar sent this report in today, 1^st May: “I went in search of May Day cheer today with visits to 3 sites, Ludgershall RC, The Hale, and Dancersend. At the railway cutting I located my first cheery Green Hairstreak of the year, but no GS and not much else. The Hale produced nothing of note. However an hour at Dancersend in the afternoon delivered the icing on the cake with a first Duke of Burgundy - a late year?”

1^st May - Derek and Cathy Brown finally had a bit of luck today: “We had a single Duke of Burgundy at Aston Upthorpe this morning, (see photo below – click on it for larger image) and 4 x Green Hairstreaks at Decoy this afternoon. I also had a Green-veined White at Aston Upthorpe. Still no Grizzled seen at either place.”

Peter Eeles saw the following butterflies in his garden in Thatcham on 30^th April – 1 Large White, 2 Orange-Tip (1 mal1, 1 female), 3 Small White and 1 Green-Veined White, although most of his day was spent in Hampshire.

30/04/05 - First decent available day saw Tom Dunbar off the blocks today with Grizzled Skipper sightings at 4 Bucks sites: Wotton DRL, Coombe Hill, Hewins, and Finemere; the latter two sites in company with Dave Wilton and Paul Bowyer.
Paul adds: The following species were identified in the Hewins Wood area: Orange Tip(7), Small White(2), Brimstone(3), Green Veined White(1), Large White(1), Small Tortoiseshell(1), Peacock(3) and Grizzled Skipper(3). 1 day flying moth was seen, a Burnet Companion. In Finemere Wood they added Holly Blue(2), Speckled Wood(1),

Dave Wilton recorded Large White at the Hewin's Wood Drain on 29^th and Grizzled Skipper both there and at Finemere yesterday, 30^th.

At Watlington Hill yesterday, 29^th April, David Fuller recorded 7 species of butterfly: Green Hairstreak 2 (new for the year), Grizzled Skipper 3 (also new for the year), Peacock 5, Green-veined White 1, Speckled Wood 1, Holly Blue 1, Brimstone 12 (10 males + 2 females).

Friday 29^th April 2005

David and Wendy Redhead did the Swyncombe Down Transect today (29th) and saw 11 Green Hairstreaks (9 on transect) and a Grizzled Skipper (on transect).

Allen Beechey sent this report in on 29^th: “I went to Aston Upthorpe today for about an hour, looking for Dukes and maybe the odd Green Hairstreak. However, as Murphy's Law 5a states; 'Thou shalt not find anything thou looketh for!!' In other words, I blanked! I did see the following though: 1 Orange tip, 3 Green-veined White, 1 Small White, 4 Brimstone, 6 Peacock, 2 Comma and, finally, 1 very fresh Grizzled Skipper.”

Wendy & Mick Campbell decided to take in a number of well-known sites on Friday 29th in search of the Grizzled Skipper, Green Hairstreak and Duke of Burgundy. They started mid-day in warm, sunny weather at Homefield Wood, which is in the process of being extensively improved by the Forestry Commission with wider rides being created. No Grizzled, but Green-veined Whites pairing, Orange Tips, Peacocks, Brimstones, Comma and Speckled Wood were all seen. They then went on to Bradenham Bank, Coombe Hill, Ragpits and, very late in the day, Dancers End, adding Holly Blue and Small Tortoiseshell to give a total of 8 species and 42 butterflies

Dave Maunder sent the following on 26^th April – “On a visit to Adstock on Sunday 24th, I saw Orange tips (5), Green-veined whites (2), Small white (1), Brimstone (1), and Holly blue (1). Back in Aylesbury on the same day I saw in my garden Speckled woods (3) and a Holly blue. Also seen in town were a Brimstone and a Small white.”

Monday 25^th April 2005

A walk to Hedsor Woods yesterday produced the following for David Fuller: Peacock 3, Speckled Wood 14 (new for this year), Small White 2, Brimstone 1 female, Orange Tip 1 male, Green-veined White 1, Large White 1 (new for this year.

24/04/05 – Derek Brown said: “Nothing very exciting to report - we tried Decoy Heath again without any luck - every time we head out there the weather closes in! However we did manage a Large White and 2 Small Whites in the garden at Beenham this afternoon along with a Speckled Wood and 4 male Orange Tips. That takes Cathy onto 11 for the year and myself onto 9 species.”

Sunday 24^th, Mick and Wendy Campbell walked through Penley Wood, Bucks. The temperature was a fairly cool 15 degrees with very little sun. They only managed to record 5 species: Green-veined White, Orange Tips (3), Holly Blue, Comma and Brimstone (3 males).

Dave Wilton sent this report on 24^th April: “Over the past week it seemed that I was always at work on the south coast whenever the sun came out in Bucks. However, I did manage a short visit to the BBOWT site at Ardley, Oxon in good weather at lunchtime on Friday 22nd which produced Brimstone (4), Green-veined White (1, new to my list), Orange-tip (6), Holly Blue (1), Peacock (2), Small Tortoiseshell (5) and Speckled Wood (1).”

On Sunday 24^th April Peter Eeles walked along the canal from Kintbury to Hungerford and saw 2 Speckled Wood, 2 Holly Blue and 1 Green-Veined White.

Peter Hall recorded a Brimstone butterfly at The Lee today, 24^th and Peacock in his Ballinger garden.

Saturday 23^rd April 2005

Kerry Taylor walked around Willen Lake this morning looking for new species. The weather was not ideal, thin high level cloud with weak sunshine but it was better than he was expecting after last night’s weather forecast. Butterflies seen – Peacock (3), Green-veined White (3), Comma (1) and his first 4 Speckled Wood of the year.

Brendan McCartney sent this quick report in today: “Nothing spectacular, but just for the record...  Ruth and I were at Hellfire Caves near High Wycombe on Thursday 23rd and we had two Holly Blues on the stonework near the tea shop.  We really hadn't realised just how fast this year has gone by!”

Friday 22^nd April 2005

Tony Croft had a day off monitoring Brown Hairstreak eggs today, 22^nd, and went over to Wytham Woods in search of another type of Hairstreak: ”I was rewarded with sightings of two Green Hairstreaks on some scrubby hawthorn bushes in one of their areas which are managed for butterflies - it really lifted my spirits seeing them again.”

On a trip to Maidenhead Thicket today David Fuller saw the following: Brimstone 4 males, Holly Blue 3 males, Peacock 4, Orange Tip 4 males, Small White 1, Green-veined White 1 (first for the year).

Thursday 21 April - after work Paul Bowyer visited the area near to the Burnham Beeches dump hoping to see some whites. He saw 2 whites but was unable to identify them as they were too far away, but he did see 2 Peacocks and his first Speckled Wood of the year. When he reached home in Flackwell Heath there was a Holly Blue in the garden.

The following report was received from David Redhead on 21^st April:- “In Whitecross Green Wood I located a first-instar caterpillar of the Brown Hairstreak after three years of trying! Just outside the entrance to the M40 Compensation Area I recorded my first Orange Tip eggs of 2005, two laid on Garlic Mustard, and first Speckled Wood and Green-veined White of the year inside the M40 Compensation Area. At home, my first cuckoo of 2005 and in Bernwood Forest, my first Grasshopper Warbler of 2005. Not a bad day! Meanwhile, back in our garden Wendy was watching several Holly Blues, Peacocks and Orange Tips (but no eggs found on the Garlic Mustard) plus a Green-veined White, Large White, Brimstone and Comma.”

Cathy Brown spotted a Green-veined White on 21^st April at Coley Park, Reading, where she works, her tenth species so far this year.

21^st April at Calvert BBOWT reserve Tim and Colleen Watts recorded 7 species: Holly Blue, Orange Tip, Peacock, Tortoiseshell, Brimstone, Speckled Wood and Comma. Tim says they’re looking forward to seeing species they haven't had yet this year and particularly want to see Duke of Burgundy and Wood White.

Along the Maidenhead Towpath on Thursday 21^st April David Fuller saw Orange Tip male and Brimstone male. In his Maidenhead garden he recorded Small White 2 and on Romney Island, Windsor, Peacock 7, Orange Tip 3 males + 3 females, Small White 1 and Holly Blue 6 all males.

And on 19^th April in David’s garden: Holly Blue 2 males + 1 female, Peacock, Small White 2 and his first Orange Tip (male) of the year.

On Tuesday 19^th Wendy Redhead saw a Holly Blue in the garden and then later on she and David also added Orange Tip, Brimstone and Large White. They both then visited Bernwood Forest but by the time they got there a storm was threatening and no butterflies were seen.

On 17th April while walking his normal transect at Carmel College, nr. Wallingford, Barry Collett recorded: Small Tortoiseshell, Peacocks, Comma, his first Orange Tips of the year and, surprisingly, a Clouded Yellow. The sun was out and the temperature was 14C.

Monday 18^th April 2005

After a visit to Winslow yesterday Dave Maunder increased his species count for this season to ten with the sighting of a Green-veined White. He also saw Brimstones(6), Small White(1), Peacock(1), Sm. Tortoiseshells(6), and a Holly Blue while driving through Whitchurch on a lovely sunny morning. Back in Aylesbury later, he saw Peacocks(4), Comma(1), Sm. Tortoiseshells(3), and a second Green-veined White at his allotment. A further 7 Sm. Tortoiseshells were on the nettle beds near Fairford leys.

Sunday 17^th April 2005

Richard Soulsby was in Benson churchyard this morning: “I saw a Green-veined White, Speckled Wood (both being my first of the year) and 5 Holly Blues, but no hibernators. This afternoon I added two more species to my list - a Small White and two Large Whites in my garden plus Holly Blues, Peacocks, Brimstones and Small Tortoiseshell.”

Seen on a walk by Kerry Taylor to the hide at Willen North Lake Milton Keynes Sun 17April: Peacock 4, Brimstone 4, Small Tortoiseshell 1 and Orange Tip, approx 5 males and 2 females. “The Orange Tips were new for the year and were all in the area near to the hide. Later in my garden I saw my first Small White which settled down for the night on the stem of one of my daffodils.”

[19/4 - On checking his photos for Sun 17 April at Willen, Kerry has been able to add Green-veined White (female) to the above list].

On various transects today Nick Bowles recorded Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Brimstone, Holly Blue, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma and Speckled Wood.

Dave Wilton reported as follows today: “On the butterfly front there's nothing much to report as the weather has been so dismal over the past week. In fact, three hours out and about near Wotton Underwood and Edgcott with Tom yesterday (Saturday 16th), looking for early Grizzled Skippers, produced not a single butterfly of any species! The improved conditions this morning tempted me out to the Finemere area where I managed to add Speckled Wood to my list. Orange-tip, Brimstone, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and Comma were also out in some numbers and I saw a single Small White. I noted my first Swallow today so maybe that's a sign that summer is on its way after all!”

Mick and Wendy Campbell tried for a Green Hairstreak in the Goring area today without luck. It was quite sunny in the morning but there was a very strong, cold wind. Near the Hartslock reserve they had some success in a sheltered corner of a field, recording 8 species: Holly Blue, Small Tortoiseshell, Brimstone (M & F), Small White, Large White, Orange Tip (M), Peacock and Comma. On the way home they called into Bernwood and recorded their first Speckled Wood of the season.

Friday 15^th April 2005

Terry Hotten went to Moor Copse on Monday April 11^th and recorded: Orange Tip (male) 5, Holly Blue 2, Peacock 3, Brimstone 1 male & 1 female, Comma 2, Small Tortoiseshell 1. “Not a bad haul - my first Orange Tips and Holly Blues.”

Dave Maunder’s butterfly sightings from the last week in Aylesbury were as follows: “My first Orange Tip and Large White on the 11th, also Brimstones (2), Comma (1), and Sm. Tortoiseshells (5). Compared to this time last year, there are only minimal numbers of Small Tortoiseshells on the same nettle sites as last year - I was seeing between 40 - 70+ a week in 2004!”

On 11/04/05 in David Fuller’s Maidenhead garden: Small White, Holly Blue, Peacock and Brimstone male and North Town Moor Maidenhead: Small White, Holly Blue, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell

On 11th April in the morning sunshine Wendy & David Redhead were feeling rather frustrated by the lack of a Holly Blue around their holly tree so went to their local library. Lo and behold flying around the entrance to Temple Cowley library was the Holly Blue they had been seeking.

Sunday 10^th April 2005

Kerry Taylor visited Willen, Milton Keynes, again this afternoon: “My son had already seen a Holly Blue in the garden so I was hopeful of increasing my year total from the 4 hibernators. Unfortunately not long after we set off it clouded over. Butterflies seen were Brimstone (5) all males, Peacock (4), Comma (3), Small Tortoiseshell (3) and a briefly seen unidentified white. Highlight was a pair of Small Tortoiseshells which chased each other around eventually settling and working their way deep into the vegetation. After a few minutes they moved nearer to the surface and I was able to get some photos.”

10^th April - The following email was sent in by Peter Eeles: “Well, I didn’t think I was going to benefit from the fine weather today, since I needed to stay at home. I needn’t have worried, with 1 Holly Blue (male), 2 Orange-Tip (1 male, 1 female) and 2 Brimstone (male) – all in my garden in Thatcham. But not a single vanessid!”

Some more sightings received today, 10^th, from Derek Brown:

9th April - Beenham Garden 1x Peacock

10th April - Beenham Garden 1x Brimstone (male) and 1x Orange Tip (male) and on Decoy Heath 1x Speckled Wood.
”Tried for an early Green Hairstreak or Grizzled Skipper at Decoy this Sunday, but no luck - spent too much time over lunch!! The weather closed in a bit. Perhaps next weekend!”

Tom Dunbar walked a stretch of disused railway line just south west of Milton Keynes today. Six species located; ones of note for him were one each of Orange Tip and Speckled Wood; also 2 female Brimstone. Peacock did well at 17 with Small Tortoiseshell scoring a respectable 9 and Brimstone on 11.

Wednesday 6^th April 2005

03/04/05 - Dennis Dell saw the first UTB Small Copper of the season on Sunday 3^rd April in Waterperry Wood, just outside his transect route!

Kerry Taylor did his usual patch by Willen Lake in Milton Keynes on Saturday 2 April: ”I could not add any new species but the hibernators were out in force - approximately 10 each of Brimstone (all males), Commas and Peacocks plus 5 Small Tortoiseshells. The best spot is a sheltered stretch behind the spoil mound created when Willen North Lake was dug. I call this ‘butterfly alley.’ In here the Brimstones were having a hard time from the Commas who would fly up from their perches to see them off.”

Seen by Dave Maunder recently in the Aylesbury area: Small white(1) on 3rd, Peacock(1), Comma(1), and Brimstone(1).

Saturday 2^nd April 2005

Welcome to new reporter to the website, Hilary Morton, who sent in this first sighting today: “I saw my first Orange Tip of the year today - not sure where to send the info. It was not on the First Sightings list when I checked today. It was at Hosehill Nature Reserve, West Berkshire.

In David Fuller’s garden in Maidenhead today: Peacock 2, Brimstone 2 male and first female this year, Comma and on Odney Island, Cookham: Brimstone 3, Peacock 1 and Comma 1

Dave Wilton spent two hours in Finemere Wood over lunchtime today and produced a healthy total of 47 butterflies in the sunshine: Small White (1), Brimstone (23, four of them female), Small Tortoiseshell (6), Peacock (9) and Comma (8). Back home in Westcott he was very pleased to see a Holly Blue in the garden along with a couple of Brimstones and a Small Tortoiseshell.

01/04/05 - Dave Maunder’s wife spotted their first Holly blue of the spring in their garden in Aylesbury – Dave says it’s the earliest he's recorded Holly Blue.

In Finemere Wood on 1^st April, Dave Wilton recorded his first double-figure count of butterflies this year. There were no new species, but a dozen Commas, four Peacocks, two Small Torts and two Brimstones. He returned home in time to see another Brimstone taking up its overnight roost in a Choisya bush in his garden.

Wednesday 30^th March 2005

30/03/05 - Cathy Brown had a Small White and a Red Admiral at Coley Park in Reading.

29/03/05 - Dave Maunder’s recent butterfly sightings in Aylesbury were:- Brimstone(4), Peacock(1), Sm. Tortoiseshells(6), Commas(2). Dave says: “Also seen on Coombe Hill yesterday (28th) was my first Red Admiral of the year - rather worn, so maybe one that has hibernated? Too early for a migrant - or not?”

28/03/05 - Rob Devas found a single Purple Hairstreak egg on an oak at Snakemoor Nature Reserve in Haddenham. Rob says “This species has not been previously recorded in this location to my knowledge so I thought it useful to tell you but obviously we will have to wait until the summer to determine if a colony exists at this location.”

In Richard Soulsby’s garden in Benson on 28^th March: Holly Blue (his first non-hibernator this year), Small Tort, Peacock and Brimstone.

In David Fuller’s garden in Maidenhead on 28/03/05: Peacock, Brimstone male and a Comma, Also, at Summerleaze Gravel Pit, Maidenhead a Small Tortoiseshell.

Peter Hall reports a Comma on 27/3 at Ballinger Common and a Small Tortoiseshell in Aylesbury (United Football Club) on 28/3.

Sunday 27^th March 2005

25^th March - Dave Maunder saw his first Speckled Wood of the year in St. Mary's churchyard in Aylesbury town centre, also 3 Brimstones and a Sm. Tortoiseshell.

Nick Bowles reports both Brimstone and Small Tort seen in Aylesbury on Thurs 24^th: “I visited College Lake Friday 25^th, where all the usual butterflies had been reported during the week, and I saw only one Peacock  - rather disappointing.”

Derek and Cathy Brown sent in their first report of the season on 26^th March: “Finally we're off and running with the following sightings to report.
- Friday 25th at Decoy Heath 3x Small Tortoiseshells, 1x Peacock, and 1x male Brimstone
- Saturday 26th 1x Male Brimstone in the garden at Beenham; 2x Brimstone, 2x Peacock, and 3x Small Tortoiseshells at Greenham Common; then at Moor Copse, 2x Peacock, 1x Comma, 4x male Brimstone and best of all 1x male Holly Blue - even earlier than last year- Cathy saw this first not me!”

Friday 25^th March 2005

Welcome to new UTB Member, Rob Devas, and thanks for sending in the following sightings:
“Today (25/3/05) I spotted my first butterflies of the season in my garden in Haddenham, near Thame: Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and Brimstone.

Peter Eeles sent in his first report of the season: “Today (25^th March) I saw a Small White flying in my garden in Thatcham, Berks. Unfortunately, my camera wasn’t to hand (not that it was going to settle!). This adds to the Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and Comma that I’ve already seen in my garden this year.”
[For those of you who have not already visited it, Peter runs an excellent butterfly website at www.ukbutterflies.co.uk ]

Dave Fuller reported these sightings over the last few days:

23/03/05 – Dave’s garden in Maidenhead Brimstone male 1; Peacock 1; Comma 1 and another 2 Commas in Cookham.

25/03/05 - Brimstone male, Holyport and one in his garden; Small Tortoiseshell in the Moss End Garden Centre.

On 22^nd March Dave Maunder supplied his list of first butterfly sightings for this year in Aylesbury:-
18^th March – Brimstones (3)

19^th March - Sm. Tortoiseshell (1), Comma (1) on his allotment.

“Also on the 19th we went to Finemere woods and saw Brimstones (3), Commas (3), Sm. Tortoiseshell (1) and 2 Orange Underwing moths flying on a beautiful warm, sunny afternoon.”

Monday 21^st March 2005

Paul Bowyer went to Bassetsbury Lane Allotments, High Wycombe about midday on Saturday 19th March and saw 7 Small Tortoiseshells, 1 Brimstone and 2 Commas. “The 2 Commas and 3 of the Tortoiseshells were on a Pussy Willow taking nectar - I have never seen this tree used before.”

Kerry Taylor reports: “Finally at 2pm on Sat 19^th March the sun broke through and I got my first real opportunity of the year to do my local patch by Willen Lake in Milton Keynes. I saw 10 Comma, three of which were on the same blackthorn bush, 6 Small Tortoiseshells and a Peacock. Surprisingly no Brimstones although my son saw one at Willen School the day before.

On 19^th March Dennis Dell watched two Commas in his back garden: “They were engaged in ariel combat or else mating dance.............who knows?!”

Chris Bartlett saw 2 male Brimstones on Friday 18th March at Prestwood, his first butterfly sightings this year.

Friday 18^th March 2005

Friday 18th March Paul Bowyer went on a lunchtime expedition: “I found 2 Brimstones and a Small Tortoiseshell at Cocksherd Wood and a further 2 Small Tortoiseshells at Lynch Hill. Both these locations are on the Britwell estate in Slough. I saw a further 2 Brimstones and 4 Small Tortoiseshells at the Cherry Orchard Nature Walk in Burnham.”

Mick Campbell reports 3 male Brimstones at Bledlow Ridge on Thursday 17^th and a Small Tortoiseshell in Marlow yesterday, 18^th March.

Richard Soulsby did his first butterfly circuit of the year at work (Howbery Park, Wallingford) today (17 Mar):-
10 Brimstones and 1 Comma. “The first butterflies I've seen this year.”

17/03/05 - David Fuller’s Maidenhead garden was visited by the following butterflies today: Brimstone male, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell. He also saw 3 Commas on Odney Island, Cookham.

17/03/05 - The following is Dave Wilton’s first report of the season: “A two-hour wander around Finemere in the sunshine at lunchtime today (Thursday) got me off the mark at last. I saw a grand total of six butterflies of four different species: Brimstone (3, all male) and single examples of Comma, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell. It certainly makes a change from looking at eggs, although I couldn't resist the temptation to study an oak branch and found another Purple Hairstreak egg within 60 seconds!
There are plenty of Primroses in flower but the Bluebells won't be out for another couple of weeks yet. The Rookery at the top end of the wood is very noisy already, Buzzards and a Snipe were seen flying and I disturbed several Muntjac as well as loads of Squirrels. Spring has definitely sprung!”

Wednesday 16^th March 2005

David Fuller sent in this list of sightings for today and said “ Pity about the weather change after lunch, still there is always tomorrow”:

Brimstone in the garden

Brimstone near Maidenhead Bridge

Brimstone Bray Road Maidenhead

Brimstone & Peacock Romney Island, Windsor

Peacock Dedworth Road Windsor

David Gantzel recorded a male Brimstone at Hazlemere today.

Dr Graham Taylor reported this unusual sighting on 8^th March: “Just to let you know that there was a male Green-veined White (size and coloration typical of first brood) flying about the Oxford Zoology Department coffee area today (8/3/05, teatime). We don't keep butterflies in the department, but I presume this one emerged from a wild pupa that overwintered indoors, so I don't think it should count for the first sightings table. Anyway, thought I'd let you know, lest it finds its way to the adjacent Parks …”

Saturday 19^th February 2005

Tom Dunbar reports today: “Square SP5617 was a disappointment today until brightened up by the sudden appearance of a Peacock from the midst of a blackthorn hedge.”

Thursday 17^th February 2005

The following email was received from Gareth Clare on 13^th February, recording an even earlier Brimstone than the Moor Copse team’s sighting of 20^th January: “I hope that it’s not too late to report the sighting of a male Brimstone, seen in the village of Wootton, near Abingdon on Sunday the 16th January at mid-day.”

Tuesday 1^st February 2005

30th January 2005 - Tom Dunbar sent in this report: Two UTB search parties successfully located Bl@ck Hairstreak eggs on successive days this weekend. Click this link for the full report: Bl@ck Hairstreak egg hunting!

Sunday 30^th January 2005

Thursday 20 January 2005 - Today at about 11am, Martin Raper reports a Brimstone flying in Moor Copse - seen by the Moor Copse Nature Reserve work party (sunny and about 13c).

7^th Jan 05 - Paul Bowyer reports a Red Admiral seen today at a garden centre between Slough and Burnham Beeches.

7^th Jan 05 - Harry Wheate - an exciting sighting…Friday 7^th Jan ’05…one Red Admiral at Downley.

~~ ooOoo ~~

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